






Qass Z 

Book ‘ M I 

3ir 


COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 






r AM NOT ACCUSTOMED TO DEALING WITH BOYS," 
^ HE SAID WITH A SNEER 





UBWkRT^ONQRESS 

Two Copies Received 

MAV 27 '90r 



Copyright 1907 by The Penn Publishing Company 


The Boy Tars of 1812 


01-3-0? /‘-I 


Contents 


I The Spitfire Runs from the Guer- 

RIERE 9 

II The Impressment of John Deguyo . 20 

III The Little Belt Appears in the 

Offing 34 

IV The Marquis of Glastonbury Comes 

Ashore 44 

V How THE President Met the Little 

Belt 60 

VI The Shadow of Ravenac .... 75 

VII The Old Stone Tower 88 

VIII The Sounding of the War Drum . 94 

IX What the Night Brought Forth . iii 

X The Night Wears On 129 

XI The Spitfire Puts to Sea . . . . 149 

XII The Braggart Guerriere Once More 156 


XIII The Constitution Takes the Guer- 


riere 165 

XIV White Towers Once More . . . 186 

XV The Man with One Arm .... 199 

XVI Face to Face 210 

XVII The Marquis Brings a Prisoner . . 226 

XVIII Locked in the Ice 241 

5 


6 


CONTENTS 


XIX A Dash for Freedom 246 

XX Roger Meets wilh Jean Lafitte . . 258 

XXI The Noble Marquis Once More . . 267 

XXII Stirring Times at New Orleans . . 283 

XXIII The Eighth of January 291 

XXIV Conclusion . 308 


I 


Illustrations 


PAGE 

I AM Not Accustomed to Dealing with Boys,” 

He Said with a Sneer 

Frontispiece ^ 

Both Boys Ignored the Extended Hand ... 88 

** Hold Your Distance,” He Said Calmly . . . 146 
The Guerri^:re’s Masts Trailed Over the Side 186 

He Suspected Some Trap 210 

They Came Forward with Drawn Blades . . . 264 
He Struck Madly at the Heavy Grate .... 301 



/ 






r • 




% 




t’ 


/ 




> , 


' * s 




:J 


» f 




» 

I 


A 


( 


» • • 




V ■• 



The Boy Tars of 1812 


CHAPTER I 

THE SPITFIRE RUNS FROM THE 
GUEBBIEBE 

Cato.” 

Yes, massa.” 

Hand me the glass.” 

Heah it am, sah.” 

The master of White Towers took the tele- 
scope from the negro servant and swept the 
blue waters of the Atlantic ; the white capped 
waves tumbled boisterously toward the Long 
Island shore, but there was not a sail in sight. 

“ I wonder what delays the Spitfire” said 
the lad, fretfully, as he handed the glass to the 
servant once more, she should have reached 
here long before this if she sailed on the day 
intended.” 

Yo^ canT ^pend on ships, nohow,” said the 
negro, shaking his white head sagely. 
“ When dey is no wind dey jest lays still like 
9 


lO 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


a shif less niggah, and makes no progress at 
all. I was a sailor mahsef, Massa Stephen, 
when I belonged to Massa Jarvis in Souf Caro- 
lina, and I knows.” 

“ But the brig has always been fairly 
prompt before,” complained Stephen Randall, 
drumming nervously upon the window frame ; 

and now that her coming means something 
to me, she must needs be two days late.” 

He turned from the window and paced up 
and down the oak fitted library with quick, 
light steps. The young master of White 
Towers was a slim, delicate looking boy of 
about eighteen with a sensitive, dark face 
which now wore a troubled look. The ramb- 
ling colonial structure known as White 
Towers lay just below Good Ground, on 
Long Island ; the lands for miles around 
were a part of the Randall estate. They 
were under a state of cultivation unusual at 
that time and the revenues were rich. 

If Roger were only here, Cato,” said 
Stephen as he paced up and down. If 
Roger were only here I would not dread 
the coming of the Marquis so much.” 

The old black servant approached the boy. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


11 


Don’ yo’ be skeered ob him, Massa Steve,” 
he said soothingly. “ Don’ yo’ be skeered at 
all.” 

“ I am not at all afraid of him, myself,” 
said the young man, a trace of pride in his 
voice. But you know what his visit means, 
Cato?” 

“ I does, massa, I does ! It means trouble 
fo’ yo’ and fo’ all ob us. Dat yeah Glaston- 
bury is a pow’ful bad man ; yes sah, pow’ful. 
He was heah once when yo’ fadder was alibe, 
Massa Steve, sah, and he was just like a white 
tom-cat, wif his sleek, soft, clean mannahs ; he’s 
purring, and he’s looking green out ob his 
eyes at de same time. I don’t like dat kind 
ob pussons, nohow.” 

“ I have never seen this noble cousin of 
mine,” said Stephen, bitterly, but I have 
heard of him frequently enough, Cato, as you 
know.” 

“ Don’ yo’ be skeered ob him, Massa Steve,” 
said Cato, reassuringly. De t’ings he say in 
he lettahs ain’t no ’count. ’Membah, yo’ is 
’dopted a Randall ; yo’ fadder fit in de Rev- 
olution, sah, and yo’ can hold yo’ head up 
wif anybody.” 


12 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


The old negro came closer as he spoke, and 
now laid his hand upon his young master's 
arm. 

‘‘ Massa Roger ain't heah yet, but don' yo' 
feel friendless, sah ; yo' fadder bought old 
Cato outen slavery and made him a free man ; 
and dis niggah will always stan' by yo', 'mem- 
bah dat, sah ! " 

Stephen smiled at the old man's earnest- 
ness and patted him upon the back. 

Thank you, Cato," he said. “ I need 
friends. This man is more than a match for 
me ; I admit it. He is wise in the ways of 
the world and has had vast experience of 
many kinds. I am but a boy, yet, and know 
but little of real life ; my only knowledge has 
been drawn from these," and he waved his 
hand toward the books that lined the walls. 

I am eighteen ; he is more than forty. 
My entire life has been passed at school or 
here at White Towers. He has commanded 
armies, Cato, and stands high at court ; his 
iron will has conquered a wilderness in the 
north and subjugated peoples who never knew 
submission before. What chance have I 
against such a man as that ? " 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


13 

Yo^ fadder done gone made no will, 
Massa Steve, to be suah, sah ; and dis yeah 
Glastonbury man is de nex’ ob kin ; but dey 
is a law in dis state, sah : and he can’t do jest 
as he likes, nohow. Dese English ain’t so 
mighty popular in dis country jest now, as 
all dat.” 

The words of old Cato were true. The 
British were not at all popular in the United 
States in the year 1811, and apparently had 
no desire to be so. Upon every possible oc- 
casion the officers of British ships made it 
their business to express the utmost contempt 
for the young republic ; the rights of Americans 
upon the high seas were held as nothing ; 
from port to port American seamen were 
hunted by British press-gangs ; they were 
seized in the streets of foreign cities and upon 
the decks of American vessels flying the Stars 
and Stripes. Protestations were laughed at ; 
every man speaking the English tongue was 
considered a British subject; and the im- 
pressed sailors were condemned to virtual 
slavery upon British cruisers and ships of the 
line. 

This had been going on for years, and the 


H 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


government at Washington seldom raised its 
voice. There was scarcely any navy ; the 
treasury was all but bare ; the nation was 
still in its infancy ; and the Jefferson admini- 
stration felt that it would be madness to 
make a stand against the Goliath of the seas, 
hoping to put an end to the existing condition 
by means of diplomacy. 

This was the attitude the British had an- 
ticipated. They were then grappling with 
Napoleon in that last desperate struggle ; 
and while their ships were numerous enough 
to sweep the French from the sea, they were 
slimly manned. To remedy this the im- 
pressment of Americans was redoubled ; Brit- 
ish frigates swaggered up and down the 
American coast ; they prowled about and 
waited at the mouths of ports for the out- 
coming of merchantmen, and then boarded 
and stripped them of their crews. 

But gradually the people of the states grew 
angry ; at first they had been disposed to let 
the authorities at Washington deal with these 
matters in their own way and in their own good 
time. But as months passed and no steps were 
taken to stop the enslaving of American tars, 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


15 

the subdued indignation grew hot and active ; 
the nation began to seethe and rumble like 
a volcano about to roar its fury in the face of 
the world. 

The people began to remember the wanton 
firing into a little American sloop by the 
British ship Leander off Sandy Hook ; they 
also recalled the broadsides poured by the 
Leopard^ fifty guns, into the helpless American 
frigate Chesapeake] and the taking from her 
of three colored seamen, proved to be Ameri- 
cans. The merchants of Massachusetts and 
elsewhere sneered at this feeling as mere 
sentiment ; they pointed to the fact that the 
growing commerce of the nation would be 
ruined in the event of war ; but the people 
and the men of the navy paid no heed to 
this selfish outcry ; they had been as patient 
as it was possible for a people to be ; and 
now the time was fast approaching when they 
would show their resentment and redress the 
wrongs that had been done them. 

Young Stephen Randall was well acquainted 
with the insults which his country had under- 
gone at the hands of the British ; his foster 
father had been in the war office at Washing- 


i6 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

ton under both Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson ; 
he had served in the Revolution as colonel of 
a New York regiment, and was regarded by 
all as deeply learned in the art of war. 
Moreover, he was thought to have studied 
fortification and coast defense as no other man 
in>the country at that time had done. 

Only a month before he had breathed his 
last at White Tovrers, the public prints of the 
time, lamenting the loss to the country ; for 
while he had finished his plans for the defense 
of the Atlantic seaboard, he had not had time 
to complete the actual work itself. 

Stephen’s mind was full of thoughts of his 
father as he paced moodily up and down. 
Suddenly an exclamation from the old negro 
servant aroused him. 

“ Look dar, Massa Steve,” cried Cato. 

Dar’s de Spitfire, jest as suah as yo’ lib I ” 

Stephen sprang to the window, and his 
dark eyes swept the wide expanse of water. 
A fair sized brig was in the offing ; she 
had all sail set and was bounding along to- 
ward the little bay a short distance below 
White Towers. 

“ It’s the Spitfire, sure enough I ” cried 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


17 

Stephen, joyfully. '' But, see there I what 
makes her act so strangely ? ” 

The smart little craft had suddenly spun 
upon her keel, so to speak, headed to sea, and 
went racing away with the blue water piling 
up under her bows in ridges capped with 
foam. 

“ Dat yeah ain’t Massa Roger’s style, at all, 
sah,” said Cato, regarding the eccentric vessel 
with astonished eyes. He don’t play no 
monkey shines wif he ship. Somefing wrong, 
sah ! ” with conviction. 

But what can be wrong ? There are no 
shallows in the bay, as Roger knows very 
well ; there is nothing the matter with the 
brig herself,” then after a long look through 
the glass, It must be the wind, though it’s 
no more than brisk.” 

Cato wagged his head, and hobbled along 
after his young master, who had sprung out 
upon the wide lawn and began making his 
way down toward the beach. 

“ They ain’t no wind dat ever blowed dat 
could keep Mars’ Roger outen de bay if he 
wanted to come in,” said he, wisely. “ Dat 
yeah boy is a borned sailor, sah I Take mah 


i8 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

word fo^ it, dey^s somefin^ mo’ den we can see 
in dis, mars’.” 

The brig, as they watched, suddenly changed 
her course once more ; a ball of bunting now 
shot up to her mast-head, and, unrolling, dis- 
played the Stars and Stripes, which streamed 
bravely in the breeze. Stephen Randall ut- 
tered a cry and clutched Cato by the arm. 

There can only be one explanation for 
that,” he cried. Pursuit ! ” 

By de British ! ” said Cato, bringing his 
broad, black palms together with a ringing 
slap. And deah dey come ! ” 

Following the suddenly-pointed finger of 
the negro, Stephen saw a sight that filled him 
with incredulous amazement. From around 
a small headland, which up to this time had 
concealed her from his sight, came a large 
British frigate of more than thirty guns ; 
across her foretopsail was painted in huge 
black letters the name, Guerriere. 

It’s that bully, Pechell, and his blustering 
crew I ” said Stephen, after a moment’s silent 
wonder. And he’s in chase of the Sjpit- 
fire ! ” 

He nebber catch de brig I ” cried Cato. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


19 

She’s de smartest sailer in dese waters. 
She’ll run from him like a ghost.” 

“ She might run from the frigate,” answered 
Stephen, but she can’t run from her guns. 
See, the bow gun is being trained upon her 
now.” 

As he spoke there came a flash, a puff of 
smoke, and a dull report from the bow of the 
Guerriere ; and then the Spitfire lay to like a 
frightened stag, her sails coming down, her 
crew running to and fro upon her decks. 


CHAPTER II 


THE IMPKESSMENT OF JOHN DEGUYO 

As he saw the solid shot from the bow gun 
of the GuerrQre go dipping from wave to 
wave across the path of the brig, Stephen 
Randall darted away toward the shores of the 
little bay. 

The boy had no idea what he intended to 
do when he started ; but there was a catboat 
there which he had been sailing earlier in the 
day, and the mast of which had not yet been 
unstepped. Into this he leaped and pushed 
off ; the sail went up like a flash, bellied in 
the breeze and sent the little craft dancing 
seaward. 

Mars^ Steve ! Mars' Steve I " came the 
voice of Cato as he toiled along toward the 
water's edge. But the boy's eyes were di- 
rected eagerly under his boom to where he 
could see a boat being lowered from the 
British frigate, and he paid no heed to the 
imploring voice of the old man. 


20 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


21 


As he came racing out of the bay, Stephen's 
catboat came almost abreast of the frigate’s 
gig- 

‘‘ Ahoy I ” cried the startled lieutenant in 
command. Sheer off, there ! ” 

Stephen paid no attention, but swept by on 
his way to the brig. 

“ Ahoy,” thundered the now angry officer. 

Do you hear, Yankee ? Throw that old fish- 
box out of the wind or I’ll send a shot after 
you.” 

Stephen cast him a defiant glance from over 
his shoulder, but held his little craft on her 
course. The lieutenant leaned forward from 
his seat in the stern, leveled a wide-mouthed 
pistol, and fired. The movement of the boat 
spoiled his aim, however, and the ball whistled 
over the lad’s head and through the sail. The 
boy’s cheeks paled a trifle, for he was unac- 
customed to anything of this sort, his life 
having been a quiet one. But his eyes flashed 
and his jaw set itself resolutely. From wave 
to wave bounded the catboat ; her bow still 
pointed to the brig ; the hand at her rudder 
was firm and steady. 

The enraged British lieutenant seized an- 


22 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


other pistol, and once more the crash of 
exploding powder sounded across the waters. 
The brawny tars at the oars of the gig bent 
their backs to their tasks ; but long before 
they had shipped their sweeps at the side of 
the Spitfire, the catboat was tied to her bow 
chains and Stephen had reached her deck. 

Roger ! he cried, as he sprang over the 

rail. 

Steve ! came an answering cry, and a 
tall, bronzed youth in the dress of an officer 
in the merchant service, was at his side in a 
moment and clasping his hand. 

Roger, what does all this mean ? ” asked 
Stephen Randall. I saw that frigate send a 
solid shot across your bow, and came out to 
you at once.'^ 

“ It^s another outrage of the British,^' 
answered Roger Dare, master of the Spitfire, 
He spoke bitterly, and his eyes snapped as he 
glanced over the side and saw the frigate's 
gig making fast. It's another press-gang, I 
suppose ; and this time in the waters of New 
York. If this continues, householders will 
not be safe in the big cities." 

The lieutenant in command of the gig 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


23 

came over the rail as these last words were 
being spoken ; he was a young man, but with 
a harsh, forbidding look, and a scar across one 
side of his face. 

If the householders are British subjects 
and deserters from his Majesty ^s navy, who 
knows ! ” spoke he as he stood with his legs 
wide apart, his arms akimbo, his cutlass trail- 
ing at his heels. Now, then, who is skipper 
here?’^ 

“ I am,^’ replied Roger Dare. 

The British officer surveyed him from top 
to toe with cold disdain. 

I am not accustomed to dealing with 
boys,^’ said he, with a sneer. And who 
trusted you with a ship, my lad, may I 
ask?’^ 

The brig is my own,^’ replied the youth- 
ful captain. “ And, perhaps, sir, after you 
have been at sea as long as I, you, too, will 
command a ship.’’ 

The officer flushed, and his hand went un- 
consciously to the hilt of his sword. 

I will have no sharp answers from you, 
my hearty,” he rapped out. Muster your 
crew on the main deck.” 


24 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


Why should I ? asked Roger coolly. He 
stood up very straight, and his keen blue eyes 
looked the lieutenant in the face with never a 
quaver. 

Because I order you,” exclaimed the other, 
angrily. Then he strode to the rail and called 
out, “ Below there ! On deck, all of you.” 

The gig’s crew came tumbling nimbly upon 
the Spitfire's deck, and lined up behind their 
officer with pistol, cutlass and pike held in 
readiness for instant use. The lieutenant's 
eyes then swept the deck and noted a gray- 
haired seaman standing aft. 

Ahoy, bos'n ! ” he cried. Pipe all 
hands.” 

The old seaman touched his hat, but an- 
swered boldly : 

“ If the skipper orders it, sir.” 

Let it be enough for you that I order it,” 
stormed the British officer. He took one 
angry step toward the old bos’n ; but he felt 
a strong grip laid upon his shoulder, and was 
whirled around like a top. 

“ You forget, sir,” said the quiet voice of 
Roger Dare, “ that you do not stand upon 
your own deck just now, but upon that of an 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


25 

American brig and in American waters. If 
the crew is to be piped, I shall give the com- 
mand, and not the first blustering king^s man 
that chooses to board my craft. 

“ Let go,'’ said the officer, his face livid with 
passion. “ Let go ! " 

He was a hardy man, and a strong one; 
and he struggled to free himself as he spoke. 
But the powerful fingers of the young Ameri- 
can sailor closed upon him like iron. Seeing 
himself powerless, the officer cried : 

** Cut him down, men, and clear the 
decks I " 

As the tars of the Guerriere sprang forward, 
Roger Dare suddenly presented a large brass- 
barreled pistol in their faces. 

“ Stop, men ! " he shouted, with anger in 
his eyes and voice. I'll shoot the first of 
you that lifts a hand." 

The seamen halted, hesitating ; and just 
then the lieutenant wrenched himself free. 

“ You Yankee hound ! " he shouted, as he 
drew his blade and sprang at the young cap- 
tain of the Spitfire. The keen steel whistled 
through the air, but Roger Dare stooped under 
it ; the next instant his clinched fist caught 


26 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


the maddened officer between the eyes and the 
man fell to the deck like a log. 

Once more, seeing the fall of their officer, 
the British boarding party sprang forward ; 
but this time they were met by the half 
dozen tars that made up the company of the 
Spitfire, These had belaying pins, sheath 
knives or any other weapon that came to 
their hands at the moment. Another in- 
stant would have seen a clash between the 
opposing seamen, but there came a thunder- 
ing hail that startled everybody. 

“ Look ! cried Stephen Randall, grasping 
Roger’s arm and pointing to the leeward of 
the brig. The frigate ! ” 

The dark hull of the Guerrih^e seemed to 
tower above the little Spitfire; her quarter- 
deck was thronged with officers, her rails and 
rigging with men ; through her open ports 
grinned the black muzzles of her heavy guns, 
all sweeping the decks of the brig. 

Lay down your arms,” thundered a great 
voice from the frigate’s quarter-deck. Lay 
down your arms or I’ll sink you.” 

From his position on the Spitfire^ the young 
captain could see the gunners of the Guerri^re 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


27 


standing at their pieces with lighted matches 
in their hands ; then his eye ran over his 
little crew, which faced the danger so daunt- 
lessly at his back. To resist would have 
been madness, and so he gave the word that 
placed his vessel in the hands of the boarding 
party to do with as they would. 

You Yankee swine,^^ panted the lieutenant, 
who had, in the meantime clambered to his 
feet. He was breathless with rage and his 
hand trembled as he shook his finger in the 
face of the young commander of the brig. 

I’ll have your life for that blow.” 

“ Let us have no idle bandying of words,” 
said Roger, coolly, his gaze level with the 
stormy looks of the enraged Englishman. 

If you have any business with me, set about 
it at once, as I have business in the port of 
New York and cannot lay to here very long 
with any profit to myself or my cargo.” 

Pipe all hands,” commanded the British 
lieutenant. 

The entire ship’s company is upon deck 
already,” said Roger, after a rapid glance. 

All ? ” 

“ Every man.” 


28 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


“ Is there no one else upon the brig ? ” 

One passenger/’ 

We will have him upon deck, too, if you 
please.” 

Word was passed below, and in a few mo- 
ments a dark, well dressed man stepped from 
the companionway. His eyes, heavy with 
sleep, grew big with surprise as he caught 
sight of the armed men, the angry officer and 
the menacing frigate. 

What is the matter. Captain Dare ? ” he 
inquired. 

I am boarded by a British boat’s crew, 
Mr. Deguyo,” answered Roger, bitterly. 

And you were required to come upon deck.” 
Then turning to the officer in command, 
the young skipper continued, 

“ And now, sir, what next ? ” 

“ You shall see,” returned the other. 

The crew of the brig were lined up along 
the rail, and the British officer went from one 
to the other asking questions. This was the 
usual mode ; when the leader of a press-gang 
found an American who hesitated in the least 
in his answers, they at once seized him, claim- 
ing him as a British deserter who was en- 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


29 


deavoring to evade a direct question as to his 
identity. But, as it happened, the entire 
crew of the Spitfire were so unquestionably 
Yankees in appearance and accent, and gave 
such prompt and humorous replies, that even 
the surly questioner could find no excuse to 
press any of them. With an angry snarl, 
the lieutenant turned away ; as he did so, his 
eyes rested upon the dark face of John 
Deguyo, who stood talking animatedly with 
Roger and Stephen across the deck. 

Here you, sirrah,’^ cried the baffied officer, 
striding forward. Give an account of your- 
self.^’ 

John Deguyo looked at him in surprise. 

“ I do not quite understand,” said he, 
mildly. 

“ Come, none of that ! You understand 
very well. I am here to take deserters of our 
service out of this Yankee. Your name and 
history ? ” 

“ My name is John Deguyo ; I am an 
American citizen of the town of Plymouth, 
and a passenger upon this brig to New York.” 

You have the look of an Englishman,” 
said the leader of the boat’s crew, regarding 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


30 

the man from under lowering brows. And 
I think IVe seen you in a British ship, some- 
where.'^ 

Never, sir," replied Mr. Deguyo, with in- 
dignation. 

“ Don't answer me, sir ! " roared the lieu- 
tenant. Back you go into the service of 
your country ; and we'll see if the cat will not 
teach you that deserting is not the thing for 
an Englishman to be guilty of." 

“ But I am not an Englishman ! I am an 
American. Let go," as two brawny sailors 
grasped him by the arms. 

Let go," cried Roger Dare, menacingly, as 
he leaped upon the seamen. Stephen and the 
crew of the brig were at his back ; ready 
weapons flashed in the sunlight ; in another 
moment a struggle to the death would have 
been precipitated, but John Deguyo was a 
man of peace and protested : 

Captain Dare, let there be no blood shed 
in my behalf. If I am taken on board that 
ship yonder, by force, and against my will, 
the government at Washington will take the 
matter in hand." 

The British lieutenant laughed harshly. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


31 


If you wait for your government to pro- 
test, and make the protest strong enough for 
it to be heeded, you will wait until old age 
overtakes you, my man,^’ said he, with a 
sneer. 

As he spoke, his eyes ran over the angry 
party opposed to him ; but Roger had seen 
the folly of a struggle with the man-of-war’s 
men even as his passenger spoke, and re- 
strained his men. However, he said to the 
pressed ” man : 

You are my passenger, Mr. Deguyo, and I 
am responsible for your safety while you are 
on board my craft. If you object in the least 
to allowing this matter to proceed farther, or 
fear that our government will not come 
promptly to your aid, as this man,” pointing 
to the lieutenant, suggests, I and my crew 
are ready to protect you to the last drop of 
our blood.” 

I thank you,” said John Deguyo, grate- 
fully. But I can see that a fight would only 
waste lives uselessly. You and your little 
crew are no match for these ruffians.” 

‘‘ Into the gig with him,” cried the lieuten- 
ant, angrily. We’ll teach him to guard his 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


32 

bitter tongue after he’s been lashed to a grat- 
ing a few times and given a couple of dozen 
with the cat.” 

As they dragged him to the side of the 
brig, John Deguyo called to Roger : 

I ask you, Captain Dare, to carry the 
news of my seizure to the proper authorities. 
Will you do this for me ? ” 

I will,” cried Roger, springing forward to 
grasp the prisoner’s hand. The lieutenant 
endeavored to prevent this, but the flash in 
the young skipper’s eye, and the sudden flex- 
ing of his supple muscles, caused the man to 
shrink back immediately, for all his blustering 
air. I will carry your message to Washing- 
ton,” continued Roger ; “ my ship and myself 
are at your service for this work.” 

“ I thank you,” said John Deguyo as he 
was forced over the rail and into the frigate’s 
gig. And unless I am very much mistaken, 
your story will result in a bitter reckoning 
with those who armed and sent this frigate 
out to prey upon those too weak to defend 
themselves.” 

The oars dipped into the water as he ut- 
tered the last words ; and Roger and Stephen, 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


33 


as they leaned upon the bulwarks, watching 
the boat as it drew near the Guerrih'ey won- 
dered if the impressed man had not spoken 
with the voice of prophecy. 


CHAPTER III 


THE LITTLE BELT APPEARS IN THE OFFING 

When the top-masts of the British man-of- 
war dipped below the horizon, the brig was 
brought about and slowly worked into the 
little bay which harbored all vessels having 
business with the great Randall estate. After 
she had reached a safe anchorage, Roger or- 
dered a boat lowered and manned, and, taking 
the catboat in tow, they went ashore. 

“ The President j forty-four, with Commo- 
dore Rodgers in command, is now, so I have 
heard, lying off Fort Severn at Annapolis,’^ 
Roger had said to his friend while the Spit- 
fire was entering. After you have gone 
over this matter of yours and we have de- 
cided upon something to do, Idl make sail 
for Annapolis and report this new outrage.’^ 

There was a vast difference between the two 
boys as they walked up the well kept road 
toward White Towers. Roger was nineteen, 
only a year Stephen's senior ; but his power- 
34 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


35 

ful figure, bronzed face, clear, bold eye and 
easy bearing stamped him as of another type 
from the delicate young student with his 
dark, sensitive face and serious eyes. But 
there was no gainsaying the friendship be- 
tween them ; and none to look at them would 
fail to note the tendency of Stephen to rely 
upon his stronger friend, or that of Roger to 
offer his strength generously. 

As has been seen, Stephen was an adopted 
son of Colonel Randall. A close friend of the 
colonehs, a naval officer who was killed in the 
war with Tripoli, had been Stephen's father ; 
and the veteran of the Revolution, who was 
unmarried, at once took the boy, then at 
school, and reared him as his own. 

It was at school at Boston that the two 
boys met. Roger Dare was the son of a sea 
captain who had retired, years before, and had 
taken to the building of ships on one of the 
Maine rivers ; the boy had loved the blue 
waters always, and upon his reaching a suf- 
ficient age, his father had entrusted him with 
the brig he now sailed, and finally turned it 
over to him entirely, as master and owner. 
He had engaged in the coasting trade, sailing 


36 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

from the New England ports into New York, 
Philadelphia and Baltimore ; and there was 
never a trip that he did not drop anchor for a 
few hours at Good Ground, that he might 
speak with Stephen. 

Well upon two hours had elapsed since 
Stephen had hoisted the sail of the catboat 
and raced out to the Spitfire; so now he 
turned anxiously to Cato, who had met them 
upon the shore, and was trudging along be- 
hind them. 

Has any one arrived, Cato ? ” asked the 

boy. 

No, Mars' Steve ; lestways, not that I 
knows on." 

He may, even now, be at White Towers," 
said Stephen to Roger, and the latter detected 
a note of dread in his voice. 

“ What matter," said the stalwart young 
sailor, lightly. As he seems bound to pay 
you a visit, he may as well come to-day as to- 
morrow, or next day. The Marquis of Glas- 
tonbury is a rather formidable personage, 
from all accounts, but you have no occasion 
to fear him, Steve." 

It's not fear, Roger," protested Stephen. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


37 


If he came as an open enemy I would know 
how to receive him. But he comes as a friend 
— as the sole living relative of my dead bene- 
factor ; it is the thought that White Towers 
might fall into his hands that unnerves me, 
Roger. I could not bear to see the dear old 
place pass into the possession of such as he ! 

He is not a very good man, I know,” said 
Roger Dare. But, if the stories that I have 
heard of him be true, he is a very brave and 
very enterprising one.” 

He paused and placed his hands upon 
Stephen's shoulders, in the manner of an 
elder brother, and looked him in the face. 

Steve,” said the youthful captain of the 
brig Spitfire^ I’m going to ask you some 
questions.” 

I am ready to answer any that you care to 
put to me,” returned the other. 

^‘Very well, then. Now, you love White 
Towers, don’t you ? ” 

I do.” 

And you would not care to leave it ? ” 

I would not.” 

It is,” and Roger’s eyes swept the beauti- 
fully-kept lawns, trim orchards and wide 


38 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

fields, green with the first up-springings of 
May, “ a very beautiful place. And it is, I 
think, worth a great deal of money. 

Stephen was silent, and made no answer. 

Your adopted father. Colonel Randall,’^ 
proceeded Roger, had much land in other 
places, IVe heard ; and also a very great deal 
of wealth of various sorts — shipping, timber, 
securities and many other things. 

Yes,’^ said Stephen, briefly. 

Pardon me for what I am going to say,^^ 
went on Roger Dare, his steady blue eyes 
fixed upon his friend’s face, “ but to get at the 
real state of your feeling toward this man, I 
feel that I must say it.” 

“ Go on,” said Stephen, in surprise. 

“ Is it because you desire Colonel Randall’s 
money for yourself that you fear the Mar- 
^ quis?” 

“ Roger ! ” Stephen sprang back a pace 
and grew a little pale. “ You did not think 
so meanly as that of me, surely ! ” 

“ Steve,” and the young sailor advanced a 
step, once more laying his hands upon his 
young friend’s shoulders, “ you know that I 
do not believe this of you. But I asked the 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


39 

question merely to show you how others, who 
do not know you so well, might regard your 
attitude in this matter. There is something 
behind all this. It is not your nature to 
dread any man or anything.’’ 

Come into the house,” said the other, 
after a pause. His face was troubled and his 
eyes were full of appeal ; the bolder spirit of 
Roger Dare softened as he noted the evident 
agitation of his comrade of many happy days, 
and he threw one strong arm across his 
shoulders. 

“ Don’t tell me if you’d rather not, Steve,” 
he said. “ But if there is anything that I can 
help you in, just give it a name.” 

When they reached the library, Stephen 
closed the door and motioned Roger to a seat. 

I have been searching the horizon for you, 
day and night for a week past, Roger,” he 
said, also seating himself, “ and there was not * 
a moment in all that time that I was not 
wishing that you were here, that I might tell 
you all about this thing that worries me so 
much.” 

Heave ahead, then, my hearty,” said the 
young commander of the Spitfire as he crossed 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


40 

his legs and became all attention. “ Here I 
am.” 

“ The estate is a great one,” began Stephen, 
and I love White Towers. Colonel Randall 
desired that I come into all that he left ; he 
said so many times, to myself and to others ; 
but for all that he died without a will.” 

So you have already told me,” said 
Roger. 

The Marquis of Glastonbury is a sort of 
distant cousin of my father — or of Colonel 
Randall, as I suppose I’d better call him. He 
has come to New York to lay claim to the 
estate ; and though Colonel Randall desired 
me to have it, I would willingly give it up to 
his relative without a word, were it not for one 
thing.” 

Ah.” 

Almost the entire work upon the plans 
for our seaboard defense was done here at 
White Towers ; I assisted in some of the 
work, but a great deal of it was secret, and 
the colonel worked upon it alone. You can 
imagine the importance he attached to this 
portion of the work, when I tell you that the 
key to it was drawn up in cipher, in order to 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


41 


reduce to a minimum the possibility of its 
becoming known. This cipher is, of course, 
in possession of the war department ; but, two 
weeks ago, two officers came here from 
Washington in a state of great alarm. It had 
been discovered that a copy existed — they had 
come upon this fact during a search of Colonel 
RandalTs papers in the department, after his 
death. He had drawn it up and secreted it 
at White Towers, fearing that some accident 
might happen to the original.” 

“ I am beginning to see,” said Roger Dare, 
leaning across the table, at which they sat, 
toward his friend. “ Go on.” 

“ Somehow,” said Stephen, in a troubled 
tone, the existence of this copy of the cipher 
has leaked out. The British minister at 
Washington learned of it ; and almost im- 
mediately afterward I received word from the 
Marquis of Glastonbury that he had resolved 
to contest my claim to White Towers, and also 
that he proposed to pay me a visit.” 

What is the purpose of the visit ? ” 

I do not know ; but I presume that he will 
come to sound me as to my knowledge of the 
whereabouts of the cipher.” 


42 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


“ Does he suppose for a moment that you 
would tell him anything you know ? 

“ Not willingly or consciously. But a man 
like the Marquis has many ways of doing a 
thing. His visit is in regard to the defenses 
of the Atlantic seaboard. I feel assured of 
that.^' 

Then, in your opinion, his claim to the 
estate is but a secondary thing with him ? ” 

“ Exactly. It is mainly an excuse for him 
to come here, to gain possession for a time 
perhaps to ransack White Towers from attic 
to cellar for the missing cipher-key.’^ 

I rather think you are right,” said Roger 
Dare. 

Just then the sound of a light gun brought 
them both to their feet, and to one of the 
library windows. 

“ The Guerriere's returned,” cried Stephen, 
as he caught sight of a vessel, flying the British 
colors, in the offing. 

No,” said Roger, this craft is a sloop-of- 
war, or what the English call a corvette. She 
is ship-rigged like the Guerriere, but only 
carries one tier of guns.” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


43 

As they watched, the gangway was let down 
at the side and a boat lowered. 

Some important person is to come ashore, 
it seems,” said Stephen, with interest. 

“ Yes,” answered the commander of the 
Spitfire as he caught sight of a figure upon 
the deck of the corvette, ready to descend, 
“ and it would not surprise me at all if it 
were your expected visitor, the noble Marquis 
of Glastonbury.” 


CHAPTER IV 


THE MAKQUIS OF GLASTONBURY 
COMES ASHORE 

, Two men descended the gangway that had 
been let down at the side of the corvette. It 
would have been an easy matter indeed for 
any active man to have sprung from the 
bulwarks into the boat ; but it was plain to be 
seen that the foremost of these never dreamed 
of doing such a thing. He stepped delicately 
into the long boat and carefully dusted a seat 
in the stern, after which he sank into it grace- 
fully. The other man was not nearly so 
fastidious ; and when he, too, was seated, the 
boat pushed off and pulled shoreward with the 
long, hearty British man-of-war stroke. 

It is the Marquis, beyond a doubt,’’ said 
Roger, with a laugh. I’ve often heard of his 
being a great dandy and foppish in the ex- 
treme.” 

Stephen said nothing ; his face had become 
noticeably paler, and the hand that rested 
upon his friend’s arm trembled. 

44 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


45 

** Don’t allow his coming to affect you so 
strongly,” proceeded Roger, encouragingly. 

He has not yet found the copy of the 
cipher, remember. And he is not likely to 
do so.” 

I know that,” said Stephen. “ I have 
had some weeks and a free hand to search for 
it, yet have been unable to discover anything 
that even looked like it.” 

Have you been all over the house ? ” 
asked Roger, with a curious emphasis. 

Yes,” answered his friend, I have been 
rummaging in every corner of it.” 

“ White Towers is a queer old place,” said 
Roger. Do you remember what we found 
that summer afternoon, five years ago ? ” 

Stephen flashed his friend a startled look. 

The underground passage ! ” exclaimed 
he. Why, I never thought of that.” 

It leads down to the hay ; and I’ve always 
thought that it had some use at one time or 
another. And another thing : I have also 
fancied that it was not the only queer thing 
about this house.” 

What do you mean ? ” asked Stephen, 
anxiously. 


46 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

Perhaps I was day dreaming, but I more 
than once, during that summer we just spoke 
of, thought I caught a hollow ring in some of 
the walls/^ 

You never spoke of it before/^ 

I did, at the time ; but you laughed at 
me, and so I thought no more about it.’^ 

Now that you mention it, I have a faint 
recollection of your having said something of 
the kind. But there are many old colonial 
houses with secret ways in their walls and 
under their gardens ; there is nothing so 
strange about White Towers being of the 
same sort, even if your fancy proved true.^^ 

It was not mere oddness that I had in 
mind,^^ said Roger, quietly. But if White 
Towers contains secret rooms and passages, 
who knows but what Colonel Randall was 
fully acquainted with them, and what more 
likely place for him to secrete his copy of the 
cipher.” 

Stephen caught his breath at this. It was 
very evident that the thought had occurred to 
him also, before Roger spoke ; but his friend^s 
putting it into words brought the possibility 
of the thing vividly before him. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


47 


You may be right/’ he breathed ex- 
citedly, a color coming into his cheeks and 
his eyes burning. “It is the most likely 
thing in the world.” 

“ If the secret places exist,” said Roger 
Dare, coolly, “ it is likely enough. But we 
do not as yet know for a certainty that they 
do. However, let us put all this aside for the 
time ; let us think of the Marquis, for, see, his 
boat has poked her nose up on the sand.” 

This was true ; the boat from the British 
corvette had landed its passengers upon the 
sand, and they were making their way toward 
White Towers. 

“ Who is the second person, I wonder ? ” 
said Roger, as they watched the approach of 
the two. 

“ It seems to me,” answered Stephen, gaz- 
ing intently toward the newcomers, “ that I 
should know him. He has a familiar look, but 
at this distance I cannot quite make him out.” 

In a few moments, however, the men had 
drawn near enough for their faces to be plainly 
seen. And then Stephen uttered an exclama- 
tion of astonishment and clutched Roger by 
the arm. 


48 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

'' It is Ravenac ! he cried. 

Ravenac ? questioned Roger. 

Yes ; he was once employed by Colonel 
Randall as secretary, but was dismissed very 
suddenly for some act of dishonesty.” 

‘‘ Oh, yes, I remember ! It was in regard 
to the colonehs work ? ” said Roger. 

“ It was.” 

“ Then Ravenac was the source of the 
British minister's information. In some way 
he knew of the existence of the copy of the 
cipher key — who knows, perhaps he is aware 
of its hiding place at this moment.” 

Stephen grew as pale as death ; the thought 
of such a thing frightened him. He was a 
spirited boy enough, as he had proved only 
that day in his run out to the Spitfire ; but 
his delicate nerves were easily disturbed, 
especially when he was startled suddenly, as 
was the case now. 

The two men approached the house and 
paused at the foot of the wide stone steps that 
led up to the main door of White Towers. 

You had better go out to receive them,” 
said Roger. 

‘‘No, no,” cried the other boy, hastily, 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


49 

shrinking back. '' I could not do it, Roger, 
not now ! Then he added pleadingly. 

You go for me.^^ 

Roger Dare understood the timid nature of 
his friend, and realized how the responsibility 
of this matter must have weighed upon him 
in the last few weeks. 

Very well,^^ said he, but you must not 
let the coming of these men discompose you 
so. You’ll need all your presence of mind to 
beat them, before we are done, I think.” 

As he finished he stepped through the low 
window and advanced to the head of the flight 
of steps. At sight of him, the man whom 
Stephen had called Ravenac spoke a few 
quick words in the ear of the other, who 
darted at Roger a swift look of inquiry from 
the keenest and coldest eyes the boy had ever 
seen. 

Gentlemen, good afternoon,” said the 
young captain of the brig, in a quiet, even 
tone. 

This is White Towers ? ” asked the 
stranger with the keen eyes. 

It is.” 

** I am desirous of seeing that person who 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


50 

calls himself Stephen Randall/^ spoke the 
man, as he flecked some specks of dust from 
his highly glazed boots with a spotless hand- 
kerchief. 

“ There is a person here whom the laws of 
New York call Stephen Randall,’’ said Roger, 
in the same even voice. “ Perhaps it is he 
whom you mean.” 

“ Ah ! ” The stranger raised a glass to his 
eyes and surveyed the speaker with cold dis- 
dain. And may I ask to whom I am speak- 
ing?” 

I am a friend of the master of White 
Towers,” answered Roger. 

And his spokesman, it would seem,” with 
a sneer. 

You are the Marquis of Glastonbury, I 
take it,” said Roger, unruffled by the other’s 
manner. 

‘'You have been correctly informed by your 
young friend, whom I fancy I see at the 
window. And this,” indicating the other 
man, “ is Monsieur Ravenac.” 

“ I have heard of the gentleman,” replied 
Roger, as his blue eyes swept the man’s tall, 
black clad figure from head to foot. “And few 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


51 

things I have heard of him have been to his 
credit, believe me.’’ 

The Marquis of Glastonbury furrowed his 
smooth brow ; but in an instant the frown 
was gone, and his fine teeth shone in a sudden 
smile. He lifted his white, bell crowned 
beaver hat and bowed with a pleased look. 

You are quick of tongue,” said he, ap- 
provingly. It is a quality that I admire 
much in youth. It promises an alert mind.” 

The sudden alteration in his manner took 
Roger by surprise. But an instant later he 
understood. Seeing that nothing was to be 
gained by his naturally sneering and mocking 
manner, the Marquis had resorted to that 
sauve politeness and polished flattery that had 
no doubt served him well upon many occa- 
sions. 

As he stood there, bowing and smiling 
winningly, he presented a figure of elegance, 
grace and ease such as the young sailor had 
never seen before. His garments fitted him 
faultlessly, and were of the very latest fashion ; 
his stock and shirt frill were immaculate. 
And he was a man of distinguished bearing ; 
there was a polish in his manner common to 


52 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


the noted dandies of the time : in his face were 
the lurking lines that showed the fearless, 
ruthless soldier of the Canadian wilds, the 
subtle diplomat whose ready mastery of de- 
tails, and adroit skill in the manipulation of 
men and things had gained many notable 
victories in the courts of Europe. 

“ I am most pleased with this place,^^ con- 
tinued the Marquis of Glastonbury. It is 
very beautiful, and the house itself reminds 
me much of those old manors which one 
meets with in the English midlands.” 

“ And it is fully as queer as any of them,” 
spoke Ravenac, meaningly. 

The Marquis darted him a swift, threaten- 
ing look ; then he turned to Roger and said 
in his most polished tones : 

Mr. Randall is at home, is he not? and 
can we not see him ? ” 

Will you come into the library ? ” asked 
Roger. He opened the great doors and stood 
waiting until the others had passed in. Then 
he closed them and led the way to the room 
where Stephen was awaiting them, pale of 
face, but more composed than Roger could 
have hoped for. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


53 


** I received your letter some days ago/^ 
said Stephen, after Roger had made the Mar- 
quis known to him formally, “ and I was 
surprised at your claim, sir.’’ 

“ No doubt,” smiled the Englishman. He 
settled himself back more comfortably in one 
of the big library chairs and crossed his legs 
gracefully. But Colonel Randall was a con- 
nection of mine, you know ; in point of fact I 
am the only person alive who could claim 
kinship with him. And as he left no will, 
why, under the law, I fancy the estate comes 
to me.” 

It was the colonel’s desire that I should 
have it,” said Stephen. 

I would not question your word,” replied 
the other affably. He took a gold snuff-box 
from his pocket and tapped the lid with one 
white forefinger ; then he offered it to the 
boys, who declined. “ Oh, you don’t do any- 
thing like this. Well, you are over-young, of 
course.” He took a delicate pinch, replaced 
the box and brushed his snowy frill for any 
stray grains. ‘‘ But my kinsman dying in- 
testate leaves the matter open to contro- 
versy.” 


54 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


I hardly think there is any^doubt about 
the colonel’s intentions,” spoke Roger Dare. 

That he intended willing his estate to 
Stephen is well known to many.” 

The eyes of the Marquis narrowed and 
hardened. Roger saw his well kept hands 
clinch about the arms of the chair upon which 
he sat ; but when he spoke, the man’s voice 
was as soft and as suave as ever. 

I had hoped for a private discussion of 
this matter,” said he, addressing himself to 
Stephen. “ But, of course it makes no great 
difference.” 

This is my friend,” said the young master 
of White Towers, placing his hand upon 
Roger’s shoulder. I have no secrets of any 
sort from him.” 

It always pleases me to see strong friend- 
ships,” remarked the Englishman, gazing at 
them through his glass with eyes that seemed 
to take in their every quality. Then he 
changed his tone to one very brisk and business- 
like : 

“ My solicitors have assured me that I have 
an almost certain case. But I dislike going to 
law.” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


55 

‘‘ The law/' said Ravenac, '' is a bad thing 
to become entangled in." 

It was the first time that he had spoken 
since entering the house. Unlike the Marquis 
he had not seated himself, but stood beside the 
table around which the others had gathered ; 
his tall, stoop-shouldered figure, his dead black 
attire, his sharp, white, large-featured face 
gave him the appearance of a giant raven. 

It is, my good Ravenac," answered the 
Marquis with a nod of the head. The law 
is a very bad thing, indeed. And now," to 
Stephen, “ you know that my claim is a good 
one. Your own solicitors must have told you 
so, if you have consulted them in the matter. 
But it is my intention, for all that, to be very 
easy with you." 

Roger saw that the Marquis was about to 
unfold the proposition with which he had 
come to White Towers ; he leaned his chin 
upon his hands and bent over the table, an 
intent expression upon his face. 

“As I remarked to Mr. Dare," went on the 
nobleman, again delicately taking snuff, “ this 
old house pleases me. I have long desired to 
be the owner of one just like it, near New 


56 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

York. Let us compromise our little affair. 
The Randall estate is very great ; but I will 
be most generous. Take all — but give me 
White Towers.’^ 

The Marquis waved his hand after the man- 
ner of a man who does a gracious thing ; and 
he smiled and showed his fine teeth. The 
eyes of Ravenac were fixed upon Stephen's 
face, hungrily, intently. 

Roger pressed his friend’s foot beneath the 
table, and they exchanged quick looks. The 
purpose of Glastonbury was plain to them. 
He desired to gain possession of White Tow- 
ers, as Stephen had said, in order that he 
might have an uninterrupted opportunity to 
search for the hidden key to the cipher that 
would mean so much in the event of war with 
Great Britain. 

Come,” said the Marquis, smilingly, what 
do you say? You did not expect such an 
offer, I dare say.” 

On the contrary,” said Roger Dare, that 
was just about what was expected.” 

Once more the keen eyes of the Englishman 
narrowed and hardened. “ I don’t quite un- 
derstand,” he said. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


57 

Perhaps not/^ said Roger, his steady 
blue eyes meeting the glances of the other 
boldly. But there are reasons — perhaps you’d 
call them sentimental — why my friend does 
not care to give up White Towers.” 

“ I should much prefer to hear your friend 
upon the matter,” said the Marquis, coldly. 

What Mr. Dare has just said is a fact,” 
said Stephen. He was pale of face still, and 
now his voice trembled slightly ; but his de- 
termination was plain. This the man saw im- 
mediately, and asked : 

You are fixed in this, are you? ” 

“ I am,” firmly. 

My proposition is a very generous one.” 

“I cannot and will not give up White 
Towers.” 

The Marquis arose; all his suavity and 
charm of manner was gone. 

Very well,” he said, harshly. We shall 
see about your ^ will not,’ my boy. I am a 
man to whom compromise does not appeal, as 
a rule, but because of your years I preferred 
to make this offer.” He took up his hat, 
smoothed it carefully for a moment, and then 
continued : Come, Ravenac.” 


58 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

At the door he paused, while Cato held it 
very wide open for him. 

As it is to be war between us, Master Ran- 
dall,’^ said he, “ it may be only fair to tell you 
that in the far north we seldom show quarter.” 

“ I hardly think any shall be asked of you,” 
said Roger Dare, quietly. 

The Marquis of Glastonbury darted at him 
a look of subdued fury. 

“ It may be my good fortune to encounter 
you again, Mr. Roger Dare,” said he in a voice 
that held an undoubted threat. And if so, 
believe me, I shall try to demonstrate to you 
that extreme readiness of tongue is not always 
to be desired.” 

I shall be pleased to meet the noble Mar- 
quis of Glastonbury, always,” smiled Roger as 
he bowed carelessly. And then the English- 
man and his companion stalked out, and the 
doors of White Towers closed behind them. 

A half hour later the corvette’s boat ap- 
proached her side ; but only one figure as- 
cended the gangway. 

It is the Marquis,” said Stephen. “ What 
can have become of Ravenac ? ” 

I think I can form a pretty fair guess,” re- 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


59 


plied Roger. Ravenac has been left ashore. 
White Towers and its secret ways, if any exist, 
have not seen the last of him, for some time to 


come. 


CHAPTER V 


HOW THE PRESIDENT MET THE LITTLE BELT 

The fact that the Marquis of Glastonbury 
had gone aboard the Little Belt and sailed 
away, leaving Ravenac behind him, excited 
considerable uneasiness in the mind of Stephen 
Randall. 

I don't like the idea of that man's prowl- 
ing about White Towers, even if he is ignorant 
of any secret mode of effecting an entrance," 
said the young master of the place. “ He is 
a very doubtful character ; in fact I've heard 
Colonel Randall say that Ravenac had fled 
from France for some crime of a grave nature. 
I remember that, at the time, the impression 
that the words gave me was that he had taken 
a life." 

Ah," said Roger, that sounds bad. A 
man with such a reputation would stop at 
nothing. I am very sorry that I must go ; but 
I promised to notify the authorities of the im- 
6o 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 61 

pressment of Mr. Deguyo ; and again there is 
my cargo : it must be discharged.” 

“ To be sure,” said Stephen ; these matters 
must be attended to, instantly, and I would 
not for the world have you delay upon my 
account. Another thing : Ravenac is a very 
ditFerent man from the Marquis, and I do not 
in the least fear matching myself against him. 
But the Marquis — well his shadow has been 
lying upon this house for some days ; and it 
will take a long time for the effects of the 
suspense to wear away as far as he personally 
is concerned. Sometimes, Roger,” Stephen 
said bitterly, I fear that I am a coward.” 

“ Steve, donT say that ; you are as brave as 
any one I know. It is your nature to be 
nervous, and the hard study and close con- 
finement of this old house has added to it. 
Six months afloat with me upon the Spitfire 
would steady you so that even the Marquis of 
Glastonbury would seem to you as other men.” 

** Perhaps you are right, and perhaps I’ll 
take advantage of your invitation before many 
trips.” 

You’ll have to make haste, then,” said 
Roger, with a smile. They had left the house 


62 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


and were walking toward the point where the 
Spitfire^s boat was pulled up on the sand. 

'' Why ? '' asked Stephen, surprised. 

If you want to sail in a merchantman, that 
is,’^ said the young captain. 

I don’t think I understand.” 

From the way things look,” said Roger 
Dare, war with England is no great distance 
off. No nation can stand continued insult ; 
and it’s my opinion that an accident might 
bring a declaration about, any day. And if 
war comes, the Spitfire takes aboard twelve 
good carronades and a * Long Tom ’ which are 
ready and waiting for her at Plymouth. I’ll 
make an armed brig of her and cruise against 
the commerce of the enemy.” 

A privateer I ” 

Yes.” As he spoke Roger shook Stephen 
by the hand and stepped into his boat. But 
I’ll tell you more of this at another time. I’ll 
run into the bay here on my way out. In the 
meantime keep an eye out for Monsieur 
Ravenac. He will not long delay in his opera- 
tions, whatever they are. Good-bye, Steve,” 
he called as the boat shoved off, and the oars 
dipped in the first stroke. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 63 

“ Good-bye/^ said Stephen, waving his 
hand. 

The boat pulled quickly out to the brig and 
was hastily hoisted in. The vessel had been 
standing in and out of the bay during Roger^s 
stay ashore, and so had no anchor to lift ; a 
few more sails were spread, her nose pointed 
seaward and away she went, heading south for 
the mouth of the Chesapeake. 

Running up the Potomac it was not many 
hours before Roger was in Washington and 
had laid the matter before the authorities. 
The news of impressments had come to be a 
common thing on the high seas or in foreign 
ports ; but this one had taken place in New 
York waters and it caused quite a sensation. 
A hurried meeting of the Cabinet was called, 
and a decision as to what to do was quickly 
reached. 

You have a good remembrance of this man 
Deguyo, I suppose,” said the Secretary of the 
Navy to Roger after all was done and he had 
taken the youth to his office. 

“ It was not many days ago that he was taken 
out of my ship,” said Roger wondering. 

If you saw him mustered on a deck with 


64 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

a hundred or two others do you think you 
could pick him out ? ” 

I^m sure I could/^ 

I am about to send word to Captain 
Rodgers, at Annapolis, to put to sea in search 
of this British frigate. It would be as well if 
some one were aboard his ship, the Presidentj 
who would know the man sought for.” 

“ I have a competent mate,” said Roger, 
promptly ; “ he can take the brig into New 
York, discharge her cargo and wait for me 
there.” 

“ You will go, then ? ” eagerly. 

** I will.” 

“ Thank you ; and perhaps you will carry 
these instructions to Captain Rodgers.” 

With pleasure, sir.” 

A light carriage drawn by a fast team of 
horses bore Roger to the shores of the bay in 
a short time. Boarding the splendid Presi- 
dent^ which lay at anchor off Fort Severn, he 
delivered to the officer in command the in- 
structions of the secretary. Captain Rodgers 
was at once summoned from Havre de Grace, 
and word was also sent to other absentees to 
join the frigate instantly. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 65 

The President was a frigate of forty-four 
guns, a sister ship to the afterward famous 
Constitution and United States^ and was built 
after the design of Joshua Humphreys, an old 
Quaker ship-builder of Philadelphia. She 
was much broader in the beam and larger 
than the English type of frigate ; indeed she 
and her sister ships, also the Chesapeake, Con- 
stellation and Congress, built at the same time, 
were specially constructed to outsail the Eng- 
lish type and carry heavier guns. 

On May 12th, less than two weeks after the 
impressment of John Deguy o, the President 
tripped her anchor and slipped down the 
bay. 

“ She is a beautiful ship,’^ said Roger Dare 
to the captain of the frigate. 

Ay,^’ said Captain Rodgers, well pleased ; 
she is indeed. She sails like a shadow, and 
will fight like a demon when she's given a 
chance.” 

The British experts did not think well of 
Mr. Humphrey's model, I understand.'' 

No. They examined the Constitution, 
which is as like the President as another pea 
from the same pod, and called her a bundle 


66 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


of pine planks. It's so like the British, you 
see, to be unable to discover merit in anything 
American. But let war once be declared and 
we'll show them a thing or two, my lad ! 
The captains of the old navy, in the last war 
with the British, performed wonders with old, 
cranky, thin walled merchantmen ; but now 
we've some frigates that are fore and fit, and 
we can meet anything throwing our own 
weight of metal and have no fear for the re- 
sult." 

Captain Rodgers was a fine example of the 
American man-of-war's-men ; a bluff, cheery, 
resolute sea-dog, the master of his ship and 
men and of any situation that might arise 
upon deep water. 

“ I have heard of this fellow, Pechell, who 
commands the Guerriere ; he's quite a noted 
bully in his own service, it seems," said Cap- 
tain Rodgers. 

And he's made his ship a sea-bully," said 
the young master of the Spitfire. “He has 
her name lettered upon her foresail so that all 
might know who she is." 

The eyes of the President's skipper twin- 
kled. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 67 

''Is it so, indeed?’^ said he, with a laugh. 
" Ah, he’s spoiling for a fight, is he ? Well, 
who knows but what he will have a chance to 
train his guns upon a target larger than a lit- 
tle brig.” 

" I hope I am not going to appear too in- 
quisitive,” spoke young Dare, " but has this 
ship been ordered to sail in search of the 
Guerriere, specially ? ” 

Captain John Rodgers laughed, and ran his 
fingers through his thick hair. 

" My orders are to cruise up and down the 
coast and protect American shipping,” he re- 
plied. " You can take what meaning you 
like from that, as I have done.” 

" But,” persisted the other, " if you fall in 
with the Guerriere will you demand that Mr. 
Deguy o be given up to you ? ” 

" I hope, in that event, to prevail upon 
Captain Pechell to release your passenger. 
That is all I can say, just now.” 

The news that the commander of the Guer~ 
Hire had painted the name of his ship in great 
black letters upon her foretopsail, seemed to 
amuse and interest Captain Rodgers ; and 
young Dare was astonished when he came 


68 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


upon deck on the morning of the 13th to find 
the name 

President 

painted upon each of the American frigate’s 
three topsails in letters much larger than 
those of the Guerri^re. 

“ It is my desire that our friends shall 
know us from a distance,” said the com- 
mander to the boy, as he caught his as- 
tonished look. But behind the laugh that 
accompanied these words the young master 
of the Spitfire fancied he detected a sterner 
meaning. 

Three days after this. May 16, 1811, while 
cruising slowly along the coast, there came a 
cry from the lookout on the foretop. 

Sail ho ! ” 

Where away ? ” called the officer of the 
deck. 

“ Directly ahead, sir,” answered the man. 

The lieutenant of the President swept the 
horizon with the glass. 

“ I can’t quite make her out,” he said. 
Then : ‘‘ Aloft, there ! ” 

“ Ay, ay, sir.” 

“ What does she look like? ” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 69 

Has the appearance of a frigate, sir ; and 
she's under easy sail.” 

How is she heading? ” 

“ Directly for us, sir.” 

We’ll have to wait till she lifts a little,” 
said the officer to Roger Dare, who stood upon 
the quarter deck at his side. 

In a half-hour more the vessel was to be 
clearly seen ; she was a ship and had the taut, 
clean look of a man-of-war. At her peak 
flew the ensign of Britain. 

By this time Captain Rodgers had come 
upon deck. 

Show the colors,” he commanded. 

The Stars and Stripes shot upward and un- 
folded, fluttering, to the breeze. Almost 
instantly the stranger wore around and headed 
away. 

The Guerrierey without doubt,” said Cap- 
tain Rodgers. “ What do you say, Mr. Dare? ” 

The young sailor had been studying the 
Englishman through a glass intently for some 
little time. 

“She looks like a single decker, sir,” he 
replied. 

“ The ports of her second tier are closed, I 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


70 

suppose/’ said the President's commander, 
after an inspection. ‘'She seems too heavy 
for anything but a frigate.” 

This was shortly after noon. The breeze 
was a light one and the stranger shook out 
all her canvas ; however the American vessel 
gained steadily, but slowly. The shadows of 
night drew on ; the British ship hauled to the 
wind, tacked and tried various methods of 
escaping the American, but with little success. 
The President hung in her wake like a great 
hound with its nose to the trail. 

“ Clear the decks,” ordered Captain Rodgers, 
at length, as night and a thick fog began to 
fall. The men sprang to obey as the drum 
rolled through the ship, accompanied by the 
rasping notes of the boatswain’s pipe. 

Guns were shotted, small arms distributed 
and the men stood at their posts. Finally 
the President drew up close on the weather- 
bow of the stranger craft, and Captain Rodgers 
placed his trumpet to his lips and hailed her. 

“ Ahoy ! What ship is that ? ” 

There was silence for a moment, save for a 
creaking of the blocks, the groaning of strain- 
ing spars and the wash of the sea. Then a 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


71 

voice from the British ship came through the 
gloom with a counter query : 

What ship is that ? 

In the light of the battle lantern, young 
Dare saw a frown gather upon Captain 
Rodger's face ; then he saw him stride to the 
rail and shout in a stentorian voice : 

What ship is that? " 

Suddenly, without a moment's warning, a 
gun spat redly through the gathering fog ; a 
solid shot smashed through the bulwark of 
the President and struck her mainmast. 
Almost instantly one of the forward guns of 
the American frigate barked gruffly in a shot 
fired without orders. 

“ Who fired that gun ? " cried the com- 
mander, whirling about. 

I'll find out, sir," answered the second 
lieutenant. “ But it was regular enough, sir. 
It's a standing order of yours, is it not, that, 
if we are fired into, to return the fire without 
waiting for orders." 

True," said Captain Rodgers. As he 
spoke three shots were fired in quick suc- 
cession by the Englishman. Then the com- 
mander continued, calmly : 


72 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


Give her a broadside, and keep firing 
until I pass the word to stop/' 

In another moment a sleet of shot burst 
from the ports of the President and swept the 
decks of the British ship. Another and still 
another broadside, and then the stranger 
ceased her return fire and lay, with her top 
works a- wreck, motionless upon the water. 

“ Stop firing ! " shouted the American com- 
mander. 

This order was obeyed instantly, and the 
President crept slowly forward. Then a sheet 
of flame burst from the British warship as a 
whole range of guns were discharged at the 
frigate. 

Give her another broadside," cried the 
President's captain. 

Again the Yankee carronades thundered, 
and this time with such good effect as to 
render the other ship completely helpless ; 
indeed she wore around, stern on, and had 
the commander of the President so desired, 
he could have raked her fore and aft. 

Once more the President crept forward 
through the mist toward the dim hull before 
her. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


73 

Do you strike ? shouted Captain Rodgers 
from his quarter-deck. 

No/’ came back the plucky reply, without 
an instant’s hesitation. 

What ship is that?” cried the Yankee 
commander. 

His Majesty’s corvette, Little BelV 
The two vessels were grinding together as 
this reply came. Both decks were now bright 
with lanterns and crowded with men ; and 
Roger Dare, as he stood at the Presidents 
fore-rail, caught sight of a handsome, well- 
groomed figure almost directly before him. 
It was the elegant Marquis of Glastonbury : 
in his hand was his gold snuff-box, and he 
was taking a delicate pinch with all the cool- 
ness in the world. 

Ah, Mr. Dare,” said he, leaning slightly 
forward, no surprise whatever upon his face, 
we meet once more.” 

Sooner than I had expected,” answered 
the young seaman. 

And once more you seem to have rather 
the best of the exchange,” spoke the Marquis, 
smiling, but with a narrowing of the eyes. 


74 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


Luck seems with you ; but it cannot last. 
It is always so with beginners.’^ 

Before the boy had a chance to answer, the 
two ships had drifted apart, and so thick had 
the fog now become that the Little Belt almost 
instantly disappeared in it. 


CHAPTER VI 


THE SHADOW OF RAVENAC 

Nothing was seen of the Little Belt until 
next morning ; then the President ranged up 
and a lieutenant was sent aboard with an 
offer of assistance. In the fight, eleven men 
had been killed in the British ship, and 
twenty-one wounded ; on board the President^ 
one boy had been hurt by a flying splinter, 
and that was all. 

Seeing that the corvette required no aid, 
the American frigate sailed away in search of 
the Guerriere. But after a week or more this 
was given up, and Roger Dare went to join 
his brig at New York. He found her await- 
ing him, and at once made sail for Good 
Ground. 

As he rounded the headland and entered the 
bay, he saw Stephen hoisting the sail of the 
catboat ; and as he dropped anchor, the little 
craft crept alongside, and the young master 
of White Towers came on board. As he 
75 


76 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

gripped his friend^s hand, Roger Dare noticed 
that his appearance had altered ; there was a 
haggard, anxious look that seemed likely to 
become a settled expression of brooding fear. 

Has anything occurred ? asked Roger, 
after they had gone down into the cabin. 

“ I think not,” answered Stephen. “ That 
may sound strange to you ; but really I don’t 
know. And that is the worst of it, Roger ; 
the suspense of it all is becoming more than I 
can stand. It’s making me ill.” 

Roger took him by the shoulders kindly, 
and looked steadily into his face. 

“ You take things too seriously,” said he. 

You brood over them. But you must stop 
it, and look the situation in the face, calmly.” 

How can I with this man Ravenac haunt- 
ing the grounds by night. Everywhere I 
turn, it seems to me, I see his face.” 

“ Ah ! And he is still on the ground then ? ” 

He is. And there are two others with 
him.” 

That is very good news,” said Roger. 

Good news,” cried the other boy, aston- 
ished. 

The fact that Ravenac still lingers in the 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


77 


neighborhood of White Towers proves that he 
has not yet been able to accomplish the design 
of the Marquis of Glastonbury.” 

“ That is true,” replied Stephen, thought- 
fully. “ I never looked at it that way.” 

They had seated themselves at the cabin 
table, facing each other. Roger leaned for- 
ward and tapped the board with his finger 
tips. 

“ Either one of two things is the case,” 
spoke he, decidedly. “ Ravenac does not 
know of any secret entrance to White Towers, 
or, if he does know, he has been unable to 
locate the key of the cipher.” 

“ I have kept a careful watch ever since you 
sailed. Cato and I cleaned and overhauled all 
the firearms at the house ; and all the servants 
are on their guard.” 

“ But you have not told them of what you 
suspect.” 

“ No : merely to keep an eye out for prowl- 
ers of any sort. I thought it best not to alarm 
them ; it might set them into a panic. And 
then they might talk.” 

“ They would be sure to.” 

“ The government officials who came up 


78 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

from Washington upon the discovery of the 
existence of the copy, said that it would not 
do to have any news of the thing get abroad. 
The public would grow to distrust the ef- 
ficiency of the coast defenses, and it might 
make trouble in the event of war.” 

And war,” said Roger, gravely, “ looks to 
be no great distance off.” 

You have heard something, then ! ” cried 
Stephen, eagerly. “ Tell me.” 

Accordingly, while all was being made snug 
upon the brig, Roger related his experiences. 
At the finish Stephen’s cheeks were flushed 
and his eyes were glowing. 

Good ! ” he exclaimed. “ So their inso- 
lence has been repaid in kind at last. Now 
let us see what they will say to this, for all 
their boasting.” 

They then went ashore, and had lunch at 
White Towers. During the course of this, 
Stephen noticed his friend looking at him 
smiling now and then. 

“ What is it ? ” he inquired. 

So you, too, desire war with England. 
Well, for a timid youth, Steve, it seems to me 
that you are rather martial.” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


79 


Stephen laughed a little. 

“ That is very different/’ said he. War 
is not the same as this perplexing situation at 
White Towers. There would be no misgivings 
there, no doubts. Here I can take no action ; 
I can only wait until the other side makes a 
move.” 

“ What you require, Steve, is conditioning, 
as I’ve told you so often before. The four 
walls of your library will not do it, neither 
will your musty old books. I’ll never be 
satisfied or you will never be hardy until you 
face the sea on board the Spitfire — face her in 
all her moods. Work hard, sleep sound and 
stop studying for a year and then all the 
Ravenacs and scented marquises in the world 
will not worry you.” 

“ I suppose you are right,” answered 
the other lad, thoughtfully. “ And I’ll 
think it over, Roger. But, as things stand, 
I cannot leave White Towers. You can see 
that.” 

Tell me all you have learned of Monsieur 
Ravenac and his doings since I have been 
gone.” 

‘‘ I have very little to tell, except as regards 


8o THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

the two men who joined him shortly after you 
sailed.’^ 

“ What sort of men are they ? 

‘‘ One of them looks like an Indian half- 
breed ; the other is a white man, a thin active 
sort of a fellow, with his left arm gone at the 
shoulder.” 

“ Have they taken up their quarters any- 
where near at hand ? ” 

“ They have, and that is one of the things 
that has been worrying me. Instead of going 
to the inn about a mile above here, they have 
settled at the old stone tower down near the 
bay.” 

Roger started a little, and a strange look 
came into his face. 

“ Could you not drive them away ? ” asked 
he. 

“ No. Unfortunately the tower does not be- 
long to the estate. I went to see Mr. Colling- 
wood, the owner, but he said that the tower 
and the few acres of land about it had passed 
out of his hand a few days before.” 

Ah ! And who was the purchaser ? ” 
Monsieur Ravenac.” 

“ This grows interesting,” said Roger, coolly. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 81 

I think the Spitfire will anchor in the bay 
for some time to come.” 

You will remain here then?” cried 
Stephen, in delight. 

For a time at any rate. 1^11 have a look 
at Ravenac and his cronies ; perhaps I may be 
able to suggest something that will prove of 
benefit.” 

He ate for some time in silence. Stephen 
watched him anxiously. 

“ It seems to me,” said Roger, at length, 
that it is rather fortunate that these men 
choose to take possession of the old tower. 
You have them directly under your eye, so to 
speak.” 

I had thought of that. But, for all, I^d 
much rather that they were not in the neigh- 
borhood of Good Ground at all.” 

How have they acted ? ” 

“ Very quietly, indeed. Ravenac seems dis- 
posed to be friendly. I have met him several 
times upon the road, and once he came here 
upon some trifling errand.” 

Humph ! I don^t like that. But what 
did you think of it at the time? ” 

Stephen colored. 


82 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


'' I know you will say that I am very easily 
imposed upon/' said he. But really, I 
thought at the time that we had perhaps been 
needlessly alarming ourselves regarding his 
presence." 

“ I can see that Monsieur Ravenac is a per- 
son of some parts," said Roger, leaning back 
in his chair. ‘‘ I thought as much from the 
start ; for a judge of men like the noble 
Marquis of Glastonbury is not one to select 
incompetent tools." 

“ This impression did not remain with me 
very long," said Stephen hastily. “ I knew 
that the Marquis had left the man behind him 
for a purpose — and that purpose was not far 
to seek." 

After finishing the last dish which old Cato 
had placed before them, the two boys arose 
and went outside into the beautiful sunshine 
of the perfect June day. 

Look," said Stephen, you can see the 
tower from here." 

He pointed as he spoke toward a point just 
below the shore of the little bay. Upon a low 
hill stood a squat looking tower, built of white 
stone and with a single door and window. It 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 83 

was a peculiar sort of structure, and no one 
had ever been able to quite make out the pur- 
pose for which it was built. 

It has stood there, said Stephen, proba- 
bly since the Dutch settlements hereabouts. 
Colonel Randall always thought it had been 
intended for a wind mill ; but if such was the 
case the builders had never deemed it worth 
while to finish it.’’ 

They slowly crossed the lawn and strolled 
down the sandy road toward the tower. For 
all its elevation the place seemed damp to 
Roger as they drew near, and the mold of age 
was thick about its base. 

It’s not a very inviting place for a dwell- 
ing,” remarked the young skipper of the Spit- 
fire. 

No,” agreed Stephen. “ I should think 
it would be rather uncomfortable myself.” 

There must be very good reasons for Mon- 
sieur Ravenac’s selection of this dwelling,” 
said Roger, after they had stood for awhile and 
examined the building from a distance of 
about fifty yards. Then, thoughtfully, “ Do 
you know whether this place ever belonged to 
White Towers ? ” 


84 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

There was something in his friend’s voice 
that made Stephen look at him quickly. 

No,” answered he ; I never heard of it.” 

“ I think it did,” said Roger. 

Stephen was surprised ; he looked quickly at 
the other once more, and then said : 

Roger, you’ve got an idea of some sort. 
What is it?” 

When was White Towers erected? ” 

I could not say ; but after the English oc- 
cupation, I believe.” 

This building,” pointing toward the squat 
structure before them, was put up about the 
same time. See, it is of the same sort of white 
stone, and the style of workmanship is about 
the same. I have often wondered why Colo- 
nel Randall’s house was called White Towers 
when there was never a sign of a tower upon 
it. Now I understand. The house took its 
name from this,” nodding toward the tower. 

You may be right,” said Stephen with in- 
terest. It is not at all improbable, although 
the colonel always said the tower must be 
Dutch.” 

He may have been correct,” said the young 
sailor ; but if the tower is Dutch then the 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 85 

house is also Dutch. That they were erected 
about the same period seems certain to me, 
also that this tower and ground once belonged 
to the estate.^’ 

He was silent for a few moments, and then 
resumed : 

Are there not some old deeds or maps of 
the estate somewhere about? ” 

“ Yes,’’ said Stephen, eagerly ; in the attic 
there is an old hair trunk full of such stuff. 
But, tell me, what have you in mind ? ” 

In a few moments. What sort of a man 
did you find Ravenac to be when he was in 
Colonel Randall’s employ ? ” 

I did not pay a great deal of attention. 
But I’ve heard the colonel say that he under- 
stood his duties very well, indeed. He seemed 
to take the utmost interest in the estate ; in 
fact he knew a great deal more about it than 
any one else upon it except the Colonel.” 
What were his habits? ” 

Rather strange at times. That is one of 
the things Colonel Randall did not like about 
him. He absented himself occasionally with- 
out notice ; and one would meet him in queer 
parts of the house at night or in the early 


86 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


morning. But as he seemed to be a most 
ardent advocate of ventilation, and was always 
going about opening windows or something of 
the kind, we ascribed his odd appearances to 
that.” 

“ Did you notice this before, during or after 
the completion of the plans for the defense of 
the coast ? ” 

It must have been afterward, for Ravenac 
did not enter the Colonehs employ until the 
work was all but finished.” 

I think,” said Roger, thoughtfully, that 
Monsieur Ravenac is pretty well acquainted 
with some things at the existence of which 
we can only guess. But let us go overhaul 
this old hair trunk of which you have spoken. 
I think we shall learn something from its con- 
tents that will interest us.” 

“ One moment,” said Stephen, as his friend 
turned about as though to go back to White 
Towers. “ There is some one at the window.” 

Roger looked toward the square window of 
the tower ; a lean face topped by a mass of 
thick black hair was framed within it, and a 
pair of burning dark eyes were fixed upon 
them. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


87 

“ It's the half-breed,” whispered Stephen. 

“ There is some one coming out,” said the 
young sailor. 

Even as he spoke the door opened and the 
black-clad, stoop-shouldered figure of Ravenac 
emerged ; he gave them one swift glance of 
inquiry and then advanced toward them, a 
smile upon his lips, his hand outstretched in 
friendly greeting. 


CHAPTER VII 


THE OLD STONE TOWER 

Both boys ignored the extended hand, but 
Ravenac only smiled and shrugged his stooped 
shoulders. 

You have come to pay me a visit. That 
is good of you, and I am much pleased.’^ 

We were looking at the tower ; that is 
all,” said Roger Dare, coldly. 

An odd sort of structure, is it not ? I 
had always admired it and am at last its 
owner, as I had hoped to be. For a new 
country like this it is a real antique, — much 
older than any other building in this section, 
in point of fact.” 

Older than White Towers, do you think ? ” 
asked Roger, carelessly. 

He kicked at some loose stones in the road 
as he spoke and he looked exactly as he de- 
sired to look — like a bored person who only 
spoke out of common politeness. But Ravenac 
88 



DOTH BOVS IGNORED 
^ THE EXTENDED HAND 





THE BOY TARS OF 1812 89 

threw him a rapid suspicious look ; Roger ob- 
served it and went on. 

I had fancied that the tower and the house 
were connected in some way.’’ 

His tone and manner were the same as be- 
fore ; but a dark flush crept into the sallow 
cheeks of Ravenac, and he answered : 

I do not understand how they could be. 
The property does not even belong to White 
Towers.” 

** So I understand,” said Roger, and that 
surprised me. You see I paid a visit to this 
place some years ago — about five, I think — 
and liked this section of the bay shore very 
much. The tower was a favorite nook of 
mine, then, and I explored it pretty thor- 
oughly.” 

Oh, indeed ! ” Ravenac’s eyes swept the 
boy from head to foot in a searching look. 

I am pleased to find another admirer of the 
place.” 

There was silence for a moment. Stephen 
saw Ravenac’s long, supple fingers twine and 
intertwine nervously ; but Roger calmly gazed 
out over the bay, his eyes dwelling upon the 
trim lines of the Spitfire as she rode gracefully 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


90 

at anchor there. Then Ravenac took a step 
toward the young sailor, and went on : 

“ And so you explored the tower pretty 
well, did you ? ’’ 

“ Boys of fifteen generally do those things 
very well, indeed,^^ smiled Roger. 

Boys of fifteen have strong imaginations,’’ 
said Ravenac. Then after a short pause, 
How old are you now ? ” 

Nineteen,” answered the other. 

At nineteen the imagination is still rather 
strong,” said the man, in such a low voice 
that Stephen, who stood a few yards away, 
could not hear the words, and there was a 
note in the voice that caused Roger Dare to 
throw his head back and stare the man steadily 
in the face. And it would be best,” said 
Ravenac, if you y^ere to forget these dream- 
ings of things it is not good for you to know.” 

Roger looked at him for a full minute after 
he had ceased to speak ; then he pointed out 
over the bay and asked : 

Do you see that brig ? ” 

I do,” answered the man. 

“ There is no trimmer or stauncher vessel 
sails these waters than she,” said Roger Dare 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


91 


in a tone of pride. “ And I have been her 
master for almost two years. She has always 
landed her cargoes in good condition, and her 
passengers, when she had any, never made 
complaint. I have brought her safely through 
every gale that has blown along these coasts 
since I took command of her, and the oldest 
sea-dog in her forecastle will tell you that I 
know my trade.” 

‘‘ Well,” said Ravenac, with a sort of sneer. 

“ A dreamer does not do such things,” said 
Roger, quietly. And, while I am in the 
humor, allow me to tell you. Monsieur Rav- 
enac, that I am myself the best judge of what 
is good for me to know.” 

Be sure that you are not making a mis- 
take,” said the man. 

“ Trust me for that ! ”• returned the lad 
promptly and boldly. 

The Marquis of Glastonbury had, a few 
weeks before, assumed a high and mighty tone 
with Roger Dare, and had thought it politic 
to change it to one of soft words and subtle 
flattery. Ravenac had forgotten this lesson in 
diplomacy for the moment, but now he recol- 
lected and went back to it. 


92 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


“ Oh, well, I suppose you are right after all,” 
he said with a sudden smile and a wave of the 
hand. But it is best to warn youth against 
tendencies that might prove harmful. How- 
ever, I feel quite confident that you are in no 
danger, as you say. Any boy that can bring 
a ship into this bay as you did yours, only a 
few hours ago, is both master of himself and 
of circumstances.” 

“ You are an admirer of the Marquis of 
Glastonbury, I see,” said Roger, coldly. Rav- 
enac elevated his brows inquiringly, and 
the boy went on. “ The Marquis is a master 
hand at certain things, I understand, and I 
suppose you do well to pattern by him.” 

And with this he turned away ; with Stephen 
he slowly trudged along the road toward 
White Towers, leaving the man staring after 
them from under moody brows. 

‘"Well?” asked Stephen inquiringly. He 
had been a somewhat puzzled listener to the 
dialogue between Roger and Ravenac, and 
seemed eager to be informed. 

I think it is just as I suspect,” said Roger. 
“ But I cannot say until I have seen the in- 
side of the tower and made a complete search.” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


93 

“ You told him that you had done that, long 
ago.” 

But not to find what I should now be look- 
ing for. I said that but to draw him out, and 
his words and actions afterward are what has 
fixed me in the belief that there is some sort 
of connection between the old tower and your 
house. We found one underground passage, 
the opening of which is not a hundred yards 
from the tower. Why should there not be one 
leading to the tower itself? ” 

“ Roger I ” Stephen grew pale. He had 
thought of this possibility before, but his 
friend^s putting it into words brought it viv- 
idly before him. 

Did you notice how he looked when I said 
that I fancied there must be some connection 
between the tower and the house? He did not 
know how to take me ; I might have meant 
association only, or an actual passage connect- 
ing the two. But let us get at the old deeds 
and maps you have spoken of ; they may tell 
us more than we think.” 


CHAPTER VIII 


THE SOUNDING OF THE WAR DRUM 

The old trunk in the attic of White Towers 
was quickly brought forth from beneath a lot 
of rubbish, dusted and opened. It was full of 
yellow parchments with big imposing looking 
red seals ; and after a great deal of searching 
through these — a search which occupied the 
best part of two days, Stephen came upon the 
knowledge which they sought. The old stone 
tower had once been a part of the estate, but 
long before it had come into the Randall 
family. 

'' There,’' said Roger, with a sigh, as he drew 
his feet beneath him and sat cross-legged upon 
the floor among the scattered deeds, that is 
settled.” 

What next ? ” asked Stephen, who sat upon 
the old trunk opposite his friend. 

The next step will be much more difficult 
than the first,” said Roger, ** and that is to 
94 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


95 

discover whether an underground passage 
really exists between the two buildings.’^ 

“We discovered the opening to the other 
one, in the cellar,’’ suggested Steve. “ Perhaps 
it would be well to look there again ; suppose 
we do, after dinner.” 

“ Very well,” said Roger. “ We chanced 
upon the other by accident, who knows but 
what we may come upon a second in the same 
way.” 

They restored the deeds and other papers to 
the trunk, brushed the dust from their gar- 
ments, took a refreshing plunge in a creek near 
at hand and then sat down to their meal with 
fine appetites. 

Old Cato served them ; as a rule the ancient 
African was as expressionless as a statue when 
engaged in this most important function. But 
to-day he seemed strangely agitated ; indeed 
several times he overturned things, a fact so 
unusual as to cause Stephen to look at him in 
surprise. 

“ Is there anything wrong, Cato ? ” he asked, 
at length. 

The old negro swallowed once or twice, then 
made reply. 


96 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

“ Mars' Steve, I hopes yo’ won't think dis 
yeah old niggah is gone clean outen he head, 
sah." 

“ Of course not, Cato," said Stephen kindly. 
“ Tell me what's the matter." 

Some time ago, sah," said the old man, 
“ yo' don' gone told us all to watch out fo' any- 
body dat appears to be sort oh sneaking around 
de house." 

And have you seen any one ? " asked the 
master eagerly. 

No, sah ! I have not. Mars' Steve, an' I 
reckon none oh the others have either." He 
came close to his young master as he spoke 
and now lowered his voice to a husky whisper. 

Was dem Christian folks yo' asked us to 
watch out for. Mars' Steve ? " 

Stephen smiled, while Roger looked at the 
old servant and awaited with interest what he 
had to say. 

“ I meant any one who came near the house 
— that is any one that had no apparent business 
here." 

The old man bent over the speaker and sunk 
his voice into an awed whisper much lower 
than the other. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


97 

'' Did you mean ghostes, too, Mars’ Steve? ” 

What do you mean ? ” asked Stephen, 
staring at the old man in astonishment. 

“ I mean, sah, dat we uns done watch fo’ 
people trapsin’ ’round outside de house ; and 
now dey’s ghostes inside, sah.” 

“ Nonsense,” cried Stephen. 

One minute,” interposed Roger. Let us 
find out just what he means.” 

Very well,” smiled Stephen. “ Go ahead.” 

What makes you think there are ghosts 
at White Towers ? ” 

“ It’s not only me, sah. No indeedy. It’s 
de whole lot on us down in de kitchen. Mars’ 
Roger.” 

“ But,” insisted Roger ; “ what makes you 
all think so ? ” 

’Case we heahs de spooks, sah. We heahs 
dem walkin’ about, sah, and we heahs dem 
whispering in de walls.” 

In the walls ! ” cried Roger, while Stephen 
leaped to his feet, excitedly. 

“Yes, sah. Mars’ Roger, jest as suah as yo’ 
lib, sah, we heahs dem, all ob us does ! ” 

Roger motioned for Stephen to resume his 
seat ; the lad did so, but his eyes were gleam- 


98 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

ing with a feverish excitement, and there was 
a flush in his face that told how wrought up 
he was. 

Now,’^ said Roger, calmly, “ tell us just 
what you mean by all this, Cato. And tell 
us everything.’' 

The ancient negro took on an air of great 
importance, and coughed and pulled at his 
white stock. 

“ De fust time any ob us heah dis yeah 
spook, sah, was free nights ago. Dat yeah 
white man dat yo’ has wukin’ in de garden, 
Mars’ Steve, he was sittin’ in de lower hall 
tellin’ we uns all ’bout de British and how de 
’Nited States was going to gib dem a real good 
lickin’, sah. But just in de very middle ob 
he talk he stop and kind ob stah ’round. 

“ ‘ Wha’s dat ? ’ says he. 

“ ^ Wha’s what ? ’ says I. 

“ ‘ Wha’s dat noise? ’ says he. 

“ ‘ I don’ heah no noise,’ says I. 

“ Deah wasn’t nobody heah anyt’ing but 
dat gardener ; so aftah awhile he goes on wif 
he story. Den he stops again, and ’clah to 
goodness if he didn’t get white as a whitewash 
wall, sah. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


99 


^ Deah it is again/ he says. 
t White man/ says I, ^ yo’s dreamin^ ! * 

^ No, I isn’t,' says he. ^ Dey’s some kind oh 
a strange noise going on. Listen ! ’ 

So we uns all listen. Fust we don’ heah 
a sound ; den a little at a time we heahs de 
creak ob footsteps walkin’ along de hall, sah, 
but deh wasn’t nobody in sight. Golly, we 
uns was all mighty scared, sah, but we listen, 
and we listen ; an’ very soon we heah a whis- 
perin’ from one corner jest like as if dey was 
two pussons a stan’in’ dar a talking secret 
like.” 

Here the old man paused and mopped his 
brow with a great scarlet handkerchief. 

Well ? ” asked Stephen, impatiently. 

Dat’s all, sah,” answered Cato. We uns 
didn’t stay to heah no mo’.” 

Why didn’t you tell me of this before? ” 
inquired the young master. 

“ ’Case I suspect it might be some fool trick 
at fust, Mars’ Steve ; but when it go on each 
night in de same place, I got so seabed I didn’t 
know what to do.” 

“ Have the servants talked of this matter 
between themselves ? ” asked Roger. 


LOfC* 


100 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


“ Golly, sah, dey don’t talk ’bout anyfing 
else ! Dey’s all pow’ful frightened, Mars’ 
Steve,” turning to Stephen, “ and dey all 
might leave de house, sah.” 

“ Nonsense,” cried Stephen. 

Suah’s yo’ live, sah, it’s de truf.” 

When the meal was finished, Roger and 
Stephen went into the big old library and 
closed the door. They stood looking at each 
other for a time ; then Roger broke the si- 
lence. 

“ It seems,” said he, ‘‘ that Monsieur Rav- 
enac has effected an entrance into White 
Towers.” 

“ And is making a search for the key to the 
cipher. And he may find it, Roger.” Stephen 
clutched Roger’s arm and held it tightly ; 
“ he may find it and deliver it to the British 
and my benefactor’s memory will be dis- 
graced.” 

No, no,” said the young sailor, hastily. 

‘‘I tell you — yes,” cried Stephen. “He 
had no right to make that copy of the key, 
Roger, you know that as well as I. The of- 
ficers from Washington spoke of it while they 
were here and told me privately that the feel- 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


101 


ing in the matter was very strong at the war 
office. So, you see what the result will be. 
Nothing is said now, but the discovery of the 
key by Ravenac will permit a public discus- 
sion, and then Colonel Randall will be made 
to bear it all. He meant everything for the 
very best, but that will make no difference.” 

“ I suppose you are right,” said Roger, 
slowly. “ But the most important result of 
the finding of the key by Ravenac will be its 
effect upon the country and its fortunes in a 
possible war with England.” 

“ I know, I know,” said Stephen, striding 
up and down, feverishly. “ I see that, Roger ; 
but Colonel Randall was a father to me, and 
I can^t help thinking of his reputation first.” 

“ What is most to the point just now is the 
prevention of the thing that will result in all 
this.” 

“ We will have Ravenac and his friends 
taken by the authorities.” 

“ Upon what charge ? ” asked Roger, 
quietly. 

Treason ! ” exclaimed Stephen. All the 
boy's timidity had now vanished, and he 
seemed like a young tiger, so great was his 


102 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


desire to shield the name of his dead bene- 
factor from possible disgrace. 

“ You can prove nothing of the sort against 
him/^ spoke Roger. The courts would not 
listen to you for a moment. Another thing : 
to have the man taken would only make the 
entire matter public ; and that, recollect, is the 
thing to be avoided.^^ 

Stephen gave a groan and dropped help- 
lessly into a chair. 

“ What shall we do ? he asked despair- 
ingly. 

“ Take the matter in our own hands. We’ll 
fight these people with their own weapons — 
cunning and dissimulation.” 

But how shall we begin ? ” 

First we must find this passage from the 
old tower and engage masons to wall it up, as 
was done with the one we discovered some 
five years ago. Then we must have some 
people here upon whom we can depend in 
every emergency. The servants, I suppose, 
are honest enough, but they are not fighters. 
And lastly, we must institute a search for 
the cipher key upon our own account — and at 
once.” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


103 

All these things the boys proceeded to do. 
Three hardy young seamen were brought 
ashore from the Spitfire and installed at 
White Towers, fully armed and instructed to 
watch narrowly every one who approached 
the place. The servants, with the exception 
of old Cato, were allowed to go ; and then 
inch by inch the walls were sounded along 
the lower hall for the secret passage suspected 
to exist here. 

But this produced no results. Old Cato 
resolutely clung to his story as to just where 
the sounds were heard, and at last Roger sug- 
gested that they break into the wall and make 
sure. 

Bars and sledges were procured ; the carpets 
were carefully taken up and the boys set to 
work. But this, too, failed to give them any 
clue ; the walls were of solid masonry, and 
they made no impression on them, and at last 
gave it up, convinced that they were upon the 
wrong scent. Then began the search of the 
great old house for the hiding-place of the 
much sought for cipher key. Room after 
room was submitted to a minute examination ; 
hammers tapped constantly upon floors, walls 


104 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

and ceilings, every article of furniture was ex- 
amined with scrupulous care, even upholstery 
was ripped open, leaving a trail of ruin be- 
hind them that almost drove Cato out of his 
senses. 

And while this search was going on day 
after day, the armed seamen patroled the 
grounds and the Spitfire lay riding the smooth 
rollers of the little bay. Of the inhabitants 
of the stone tower down by the shore, little 
was seen. Once Roger, from an upper win- 
dow, saw Ravenac in the road ; the man 
paused and watched the brawny tar who 
paced the lawn so calmly, a businesslike 
looking musket across his shoulder. And 
as the Frenchman turned away Roger noted 
a quick smile gleam across his sallow face — 
a smile that contained both mockery and 
derision. 

Then, as his stay at White Towers was 
longer by far than he had anticipated, Roger 
gave orders for the brig to sail for Baltimore, 
where there was a cargo awaiting her. His 
first mate was a competent seaman, and trust- 
worthy in every respect ; and when the young 
skipper saw his trim little craft hoist anchor 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


105 

and square away southward, he felt no mis- 
givings — he was confident that she would be 
as well handled as though he were himself on 
board. 

The days slipped by, and still the search 
went on ; from roof to the ground fioor, White 
Towers had been sounded and searched as it 
had never been sounded and searched before. 
In some places they had gone so far as to rip 
up the fioors, and all the walls showed the 
scars that eager hands and sharp-edged tools 
had made. 

We have the cellar before us yet,” said 
Roger as they sat one evening in the midst of 
a confusion of books and furniture in the 
library. He was pulling the long ears of 
Stephen's favorite dog — a dun-colored mon- 
grel with a strong dash of hound in it — and 
the dog was beating at him with its broad paws 
and lolling its tongue delightedly. 

You have had hopes of the cellar from the 
start, haven’t you ? ” said Stephen. 

Yes ; but not in the way of discovering the 
cipher. It seems to me that the cellar should 
reveal something that is now only known to 
Ravenac and his companions.” 


io6 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


You still hold to the belief then, that a 
secret passage exists in spite of our failure in 
the lower hall ? ” 

I do. But I cannot understand one thing. 
Ravenac and his friends know of this passage, 
they have traversed its length, they have been 
within the walls of this house, possibly many 
times. But still I have never seen the slight- 
est trace of them in any of the rooms.” 

“ You have looked for evidence of their 
visits, then ? ” 

Every morning.” 

** And with no result.” 

Not the slightest.” 

What do you draw from that? ” 

Roger pushed the mongrel from him and 
leaned toward his friend. 

I think,” said he, slowly, “ that the enemy 
are also making a search.” 

Of course — for the cipher.” 

** No ; for the door of the secret passage that 
leads into the house.” 

Stephen started and stared. 

“ Explain yourself,” said he. 

Every such passage has two openings,” 
said Roger. Ravenac knows of one — the old 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


107 


stone tower ; but in my opinion he has failed 
to find the other. Indeed, my theory is that 
he may as well be a thousand miles from 
White Towers for all the practical advantage 
his knowledge has given him.'’ 

Stephen's face lighted up at these words. 

“ You think then that they are seeking the 
secret door from without, and we fiom 
within ? " 

Exactly." 

There was a silence between the two boys ; 
the hound, which had stretched his length at 
his master's feet, now raised its head, pricked 
its ears, and growled uneasily. 

Be quiet, Nip," said Stephen. 

The night was a beautiful one, well toward 
the end of June ; a moon fiooded the little bay 
with silver, as they could see from the windows, 
and the hum of the night insects and the soft 
stirring of the trees and bushes was all that 
was heard. But the hound arose to his feet, 
elevated his head, sniffed and growled once 
more. 

The boys went on with their conversation, 
but the dog prowled about the room, a deep 
note now and then rumbling from his throat. 


io8 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


There was a huge fireplace in the library, now 
cold, of course, and this seemed to be the es- 
pecial object of the hound’s attention. He 
sniffed about it for a few moments, growled, 
and then, at Stephen’s command came and lay 
down once more. But in a few moments he 
was up again, growling and sniffing about the 
fireplace, and at length burst into a loud 
bark. 

Roger had been watching the actions of the 
mongrel carelessly ; but now he showed in- 
terest. 

“ What in the world is the matter with you, 
Nip?” cried Stephen impatiently. “ Be still 
sir, or out you go ! ” 

Let him alone for a moment,” said Roger. 
They sat and watched the hound as it sniffed 
and grumbled about the fireplace. Suddenly 
Roger started, leaned forward and placed his 
hand upon the dog’s back. 

Down, lad,” said he sharply. 

The hound crouched down obediently and 
was silent. Roger held up one hand warn- 
ingly to Stephen. They remained quiet and 
listening ; almost as faint as the gnawing of 
a mouse, came a sound from behind the great 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


109 


stone slab that formed the back of the fireplace. 
Scratch, scratch, it went steadily, for a time — 
then, suddenly, there came a slight rushing 
sound as of the falling of a small quantity of 
sand or dried cement, followed by the sharp 
impact of a falling brick upon a stone floor 
and a sudden exclamation, that seemed stifled 
in its inception. 

The boys arose to their feet with one accord ; 
almost as they did so, there came the shock of 
a light gun from a distance ; through the win- 
dow they saw a vessel standing into the moon- 
lit bay. 

It’s the Spitfire” cried Roger in sur- 
prise. 

They knew at once that something was 
wrong, and raced away toward the shores of the 
bay, shoved off in the catboat and soon stood 
upon the deck of the brig. 

Mr. Taylor,” cried Roger to his mate who 
now approached them. ‘‘ Why have you 
brought the vessel back to Good Ground ? ” 

In times like these,” said the mate coolly, 
the master of the ship should be on board. 
I didn’t wait at Baltimore to take on any 
cargo as ordered, sir.” 


1 lO 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


And why not ? ” 

Because, sir, I was afraid that the brig 
might be blockaded in the port. War has been 
declared against England/’ 


CHAPTER IX 

WHAT THE NIGHT BROUGHT FORTH 

What the mate of the Spitfire reported to 
Roger Dare was true. After years of outrage 
the Congress of the United States had declared 
to the nations that the condition of affairs 
was no longer to be tolerated ; and the coun- 
try at once armed for the conflict. 

Indeed before the brig came into the bay at 
Good Ground the first gun of the war had 
already been fired by the frigate President in 
her chase of the Belvidere, thirty-two. 

The small American navy, so destined for 
glory, was already at sea in search of British 
ships-of-war or merchantmen. But this bril- 
liant page of the republic's history had almost 
never been written, for President Madison had 
all but made up his mind to keep the vessels 
at home and use them for harbor defense. 
However, Captain Bainbridge and other of- 
ficers pleaded so earnestly that this policy was 
abandoned and the ships went forth to grap- 


112 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


pie with the enemy. A horde of privateers 
were arming in the different ports ; Roger 
Dare knew this and thought of the new car- 
ronades and the beautiful long gun with which 
he and his father had planned to furnish the 
brig in case of war. 

“ But 111 let that matter rest until this af- 
fair at White Towers is settled/' said he, as he 
sat in the Sjpitfire's cabin with Stephen an 
hour or so after the vessel had come to 
anchor. The war will last long and 111 
have lots of chance to take part in it later on ; 
but the case of Ravenac is urgent." 

“ Especially as he seems upon the point of 
digging his way through the wall into the 
library," suggested Stephen. He must be 
getting desperate." 

'' I don't think that was his intention," 
said the young skipper. “ It's my opinion 
that he was merely searching for the outlet to 
the tunnel and that the fall of the plaster and 
stones was an accident. However, it has done 
one good thing ; it has shown us where to 
look for the passage which has so baffled us." 

“ Who would ever have dreamed of it being 
in one of the partitions ? " said Stephen. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 113 

That, I suppose, is the very reason why 
the man who laid out the building placed it 
there. But if we had paused to measure the 
thickness of the wall we must have reasoned 
the thing out. However, at best the passage 
must be a narrow one, and must have its out- 
let somewhere upon the ground floor, a thing 
which I never expected.^’ 

There was a slight commotion upon deck ; 
footsteps were heard descending the ladder, 
and a knock came upon the cabin door. 

Come in,” called the young captain. 

The second mate, a brisk young seaman, 
entered. 

“ There is a large vessel standing on and 
off at the mouth of the bay, sir,” said he. 

A boat has just pulled away from her and 
is heading for the shore some distance below.” 

Ifll come on deck,” said the lad, promptly. 

Come, Steve.” 

Once on deck they directed their gaze to- 
ward the point indicated. The moon was 
still flooding the calm, almost unrufiled 
water with silver, and the strange ship was as 
plainly visible as she would be had it been 
broad day. 


114 the boy tars of 1812 

“ She's British, from her rig," said Roger, 
after a moment's inspection, “ and a man- 
of-war from her general trimness." 

“ She's sending her boat in to attack us, 
perhaps," said Stephen, excitedly. 

‘‘ It's not likely," returned his friend. 

We are lying in a sort of shadow and burn- 
ing no lights. I doubt if they even suspect 
our presence ; but for all that it would be best 
to be prepared." 

He gave some quick, low voiced orders to 
the first mate, who passed them noiselessly 
along. In a very short space of time the 
arms' chest had been opened and pikes, cut- 
lasses, and pistols were passed around among 
the ship's company. The two four pounder 
brass guns of the brig were charged with mus- 
ket balls and dragged to the starboard side, 
from which an attack was most likely to 
come ; and then all hands waited. 

From some distance across the bay came the 
steady splash of oars ; a ship's yawl was pull- 
ing rapidly toward the shore ; she was too far 
off for those on board the Spitfire to make out 
who or how many were in her, even with the 
moonlight's powerful aid ; but Roger's eyes 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


115 

never left the boat, for all that. Stephen 
noticed this and said : 

“ I wonder what can be their purpose in 
going ashore? ” 

For answer Roger pointed toward a deep 
red spot of light that burned steadily from a 
slight elevation on the shore. 

Do you see that ? ” asked he. 

It’s a light in the old stone tower,” ex- 
claimed Stephen. 

Exactly. And that yawl is heading for the 
beach near the tower as straight as it can go. 
It would seem that Monsieur Ravenac is to 
have some visitors.” 

And from a British ship-of-war.” 

I think I can give the name of the most 
important of the guests.” 

Stephen looked at him, but said nothing. 

It is the Marquis of Glastonbury. Now 
that war is declared between the two nations 
he feels that he cannot delay much longer. 
He must secure the cipher soon, or not at all ; 
for times of war are unlike times of peace, and 
upon even a suspicion of such treason as Rav- 
enac is endeavoring to work we could now 
have them arrested.” 


ii6 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


“ You are right/' said Stephen, and we will 
not delay in doing so ; it will be a much safer 
way. To-morrow I will lay charges against 
these men before the proper authorities." 

“ To-morrow may be too late," said Roger, 
quietly. 

“ What do you mean? " alarmed. 

I mean that the visit ashore at this time 
indicates that the Marquis of Glastonbjiry 
has determined upon something immediate. 
All is quiet in this section. Your nearest 
neighbor is several miles away ; if an armed 
boat's crew were to attack White Towers none 
would be the wiser." 

But why should they attack the house ? 
What could they hope to gain by it ? The 
cipher is not to be found in the few hours 
that they would be in fjossession — it is too well 
hidden." 

You forget Ravenac. This man knows 
more of the secrets of White Towers than 
either of us — perhaps he is acquainted with 
the ver,y place of the paper's concealment and 
can place his hand upon it when once in- 
side." 

The yawl had run up on the sand at a point 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


117 


which was overshadowed by some tall trees 
growing close down to the water’s edge. And 
now a broad flare of light shot out across the 
lonely road that ran by the old stone tower ; 
it was the door that had opened and a num- 
ber of men, all heavily armed, were seen to go 
in ; then the door closed once more and the 
single red beam from the window was all that 
could be observed. 

I think,” said Roger Dare, ‘‘ that we had 
better go ashore ; we will be of more service 
there.” 

He summoned his first and second mate and 
told them as much of the situation as he 
thought advisable. 

** So, while I am gone, keep a sharp lookout 
for that British vessel in the offing. She will 
not attempt to come in, for there is not suffi- 
cient depth of water for her at the mouth of 
the harbor ; but if the brig is discovered she 
may send boats and make an attack that 
way.” 

You may depend on us,” said the first 
mate. The four pounders will warn off 
any boats that they may send against us.” 

** And I only hope we will have a chance 


ii8 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


to use them/^ said the young second mate, 
with a swift glance toward the British ship 
which was still plainly visible. “ I was im- 
pressed in the British service once and was 
treated like a dog. Nothing but gunpowder 
burned under their very noses can wipe that 
out.^’ 

The commander of the Spitfire knew these 
men were to be trusted ; so he had no misgiv- 
ings when he entered the catboat with Stephen 
and put off for the shore. The three seamen 
on guard at White Towers were quickly made 
acquainted with the state of affairs. 

Sink my old hull ! exclaimed one of 
them, as he smacked his broad hands together 
in great satisfaction. So we are to have a 
chance at them at last, are we ? Well every 
sailor man that hails from the United States 
has a score to settle with them high nosed 
swabs in the British frigates, and many a 
craft of theirs will go to Davy Jones because 
of it.” 

“ You may be sure of that, Starbuck,” 
replied Roger with a laugh. But the thing 
that most concerns us now is the boat^s crew 
that has landed below here.” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


119 

“ Do you think they mean to board us, 
captain ? ” asked Starbuck, eagerly. 

I am not sure, but it would not surprise 
me if we heard from them in some way be- 
fore morning.’^ 

All the firearms were gotten out and their 
charges looked to ; then the two boys went 
over the house and locked everything care- 
fully. The lower doors were braced with 
planks taken from the woodshed and heavy 
articles of furniture dragged against them. 

I declah to goodness ! exclaimed old 
Cato, his eyes rolling in wonder, “ yo^ mak- 
ing a reg’lah fort outen dis yeah house, Mars’ 
Roger.” 

It may be only too weak in a very little 
while,” said Roger as he surveyed the result of 
their labors. 

Then he placed each seaman at a window 
which overlooked the road leading toward the 
old tower, while Stephen stationed himself at 
another. 

'' Keep a sharp lookout,” directed Roger ; 
challenge any one who approaches ; if they 
do not answer at the second summon — fire 
without hesitation.” 


120 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


He looked carefully at his pistol and placed 
it in his belt ; then he selected a short heavy- 
bladed, double-edged sword and strapped it 
on. 

“ I will return as soon as possible/^ said he 
to Stephen. 

‘‘ You are not going out? 

But I am,” coolly. 

Where are you going ? ” 

To try and get a peep at Monsieur Ravenac 
and his visitors. Suppose it should be as we 
suspect, and the noble Marquis prove to be 
among them. He would be much offended,” 
with a laugh, did not some one call upon 
him.” 

But, seriously, why are you going there ? ” 

^‘To find out, if I can, just what is going 
forward. It will not do to remain here and 
wait for them, not knowing their mode of at- 
tack, if any should be contemplated.” 

It will be most dangerous,” said Stephen. 
He stepped to Roger's side, and added, If 
you are discovered you may lose your life. I 
am going with you.” 

“You are going to stay here and take charge 
of the men. Starbuck and his mates are faith- 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


121 


ful, courageous fellows, but they require some 
one to direct them. That is your part.^^ 

Stephen looked at his friend for a moment, 
then said : 

“ I suppose you are right. But take care, 
Roger ; don’t rush into danger.” 

“ Trust me for that. If it is our acquaint- 
ance the Marquis, below there, I shall be ex- 
ceedingly careful ; for he has promised to set- 
tle accounts with me at the first opportunity.” 

The youthful skipper of the brig then 
pressed his friend’s hands tightly, and in a few 
moments was stealing along, in the shadow 
cast by the tall trees, toward the old tower ; 
while Stephen, within, replaced the braces of 
planks upon the door through which his friend 
had passed. 

Roger looked out over the bay. He could 
see nothing of the Spitfire because of the 
shadow in which she lay ; but the British 
ship, under a few light sails, and with the 
moon hanging like a silver ball almost directly 
above her foremast, was still cruising to and 
fro at the mouth of the harbor like a great 
night bird with half-closed wings. 

That moon will last for some hours yet,” 


122 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


muttered the boy, as he stole along, and 
while it is rather bad for me just now, should 
any one be on the watch, still it may prove 
of great advantage later on/’ 

Avoiding the patches of moonlight that 
rifted between the trees, the young sailor stole 
cautiously along. The light still gleamed 
redly through the lone window of the tower, 
and, stilh under cover, he drew toward it, his 
pistol gripped in his hand. At last he was in 
position to see what was proceeding within ; 
cautiously he raised his head above the level 
of the window-sill and gazed into the room. 

A group of armed seamen were lounging 
about, and near them stood an officer whose 
face seemed strangely familiar to Roger. But 
he wasted no time speculating as to the man’s 
identity, for at a table near the window sat 
Ravenac, and opposite him, immaculate and 
faultless in attire, sat the Marquis of Glaston- 
bury. The Marquis was speaking. 

“ I am very glad that my signal was seen in 
time to prepare you for my arrival,” he was 
saying. 

“ It surprised me ! I did not think that 
you intended to return here,” said Ravenac ; 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


123 

“ I fancied this matter was to be left entirely 
in my hands.’^ 

The Marquis took snuff in his usual delicate 
way, and rubbed his finger tips carefully with 
a handkerchief of spotless linen. 

I had so purposed,^’ said he, with a shrug, 
but I had not thought that this Yankee Con- 
gress would be so precipitate. As war is on, 
we must get possession of the cipher key at 
once.” 

“ That would be easy enough if I could once 
effect an entrance into the house. Somehow 
they have suspected my design from the start ; 
that young meddler from the American brig 
has brought ashore some of his men to keep 
guard, and they prowl up and down like watch 
dogs all the time.” 

The Marquis drummed lightly with his 
white, well kept hands upon the table and 
smiled. 

“ And so your secret passages failed you,” 
said he, and there was a trace of mockery in 
his tone. 

“ So far — yes. The one upon which I de- 
pended has been walled up ; apparently some 
one had discovered it since I have been here 


124 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


last. Then I had to turn to this one, leading 
from this tower. 

And a pretty penny it has cost,^^ said the 
Marquis. “ Though I would not have minded 
ten times the sum had anything resulted 
from it.^^ 

During my term of employment with 
Colonel Randall,’^ resumed Ravenac, “ I 
learned much about White Towers — but I 
could never find the door of this tower pas- 
sage that opened into the house — that is, not 
until this very evening.” 

Ah ! ” The Marquis’s face lit up with in- 
terest. 

Yes,” said Ravenac, I found it at last. 
It has not been used for many years, but it 
will doubtless work somehow, or can be made 
to do so. Indeed I was in the passage clean- 
ing the rusted mechanism when one of my 
men brought- me word of your signal which 
he saw burning at sea.” 

Roger drew in a deep breath at this. So 
the long sought for door was the slab of stone 
behind the fireplace ! It was well worth the 
risk he was running to learn this fact alone. 

In the few weeks that have elapsed since 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


125 

I have been here I have lost much of the con- 
fidence which I had in you as a man who 
found the end you sought without much ado 
and went swiftly to it.’^ 

I am sorry to hear that/^ answered the 
Frenchman, a sullen look coming into his sal- 
low face. 

And,” continued the Marquis, as the 
time is now very limited, indeed, in which 
success in this enterprise is possible, I have 
made up my mind to accomplish it in my 
own way.” 

** With these men ? ” asked Ravenac, glanc- 
ing toward the lounging seamen. 

With these men ; and, if need be, with 
the hundred and fifty odd others on board 
the Guerri^re.” 

Roger started. It now came to him like a 
flash that the officer in command of the armed 
party was the one who had boarded the Spit- 
fire and impressed his passenger, John Deguyo. 

So that sea-wolf is still hanging about 
these coasts,” was the thought that passed 
through his mind. Well, I sincerely hope 
that she meets with an American ship of 
equal strength, and is blown out of the water.” 


126 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


“ When do you think to begin your attack 
upon the house? asked the Frenchman. 

My dear, Ra venae/’ and the Marquis ges- 
tured his distaste, “ please do not dignify so 
small a matter by so formidable a name. At- 
tack ! Why, it is merely the catching of a 
couple of boys asleep in their beds, a few 
turns with a rope’s end, and then freedom to 
ransack the whole of the establishment at our 
leisure.” 

Don’t make a mistake,” warned Ravenac. 
“ You will have a fight that will interest you 
before you gain the inside.” 

“ I never make mistakes,” smiled the Mar- 
quis. Witness the evidence,” and he waved 
his hand toward his followers. “ I expect no 
resistance of consequence, yet I have come 
prepared for a great deal. You say they have 
an armed guard ? ” 

Yes,” said Ravenac. Three men, and 
brawny looking fellows they are.” 

The Marquis had begun to speak, but Roger 
did not catch even the first word, for a pair of 
powerful hands fell suddenly upon his shoul- 
ders and he was hurled to the ground back- 
ward. As he fell, his assailant was upon him 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


127 


with the rapidity of lightning, the hands 
shifted to his throat and a knee pressed 
against his chest. 

Beneath the window was a bed of yielding 
sand, and the struggle was noiseless. Roger 
held the pistol in his right hand, and because 
of the darkness, the man attacking him had, 
apparently, failed to notice this. Whoever he 
was, the man seemed to disdain to call to his 
friends within the tower ; he appeared de- 
termined to take his prisoner single-handed. 
But had he known the mettle of Roger Dare, 
possibly he would have acted otherwise. 

As he felt the hands clasping his throat and 
the knee crushing in his chest, Roger sud- 
denly dashed his left fist into the man’s face. 
The unknown uttered an exclamation in some 
strange tongue, and for an instant the breath- 
stopping pressure of his hands relaxed. That 
instant was enough for the young commander 
of the Spitfire. Like an eel he wriggled from 
beneath the man, and then bounded to his 
feet. Then the unknown uttered his first cry 
— a sharp yell that at once told the lad that 
he had to deal with the Indian whom he had 
seen looking from the window upon the day he 


128 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


and Stephen visited the tower and talked with 
Ravenac in the road. 

As the sharp yell of warning split the 
silent night, the savage leaped toward Roger ; 
at the same instant there came the sound of 
overturning chairs and trampling feet from 
the tower. Roger waited coolly until the 
Indian was almost upon him ; then the heavy 
pistol swung upward and the barrel fell upon 
the man’s head, stretching him motionless 
upon the sand just as the door of the tower 
was flung open, a glare of light streamed 
upon the road and the armed seamen trooped 
out, their officer at their head. This latter 
caught sight of Roger at once, and drew his 
sword, while he shouted : 

At the Yankee, men ! Cut him down ! ” 

The seamen rushed forward with their 
bared blades gleaming in the moonlight. 
Roger steadied himself coolly, fired the pistol 
point blank in their faces, then hurled it at 
the head of the officer. The next instant he 
had turned and darted away down the road 
with the entire party at his heels. 


CHAPTER X 


THE NIGHT WEARS ON 

Roger Dare was a trained athlete, with 
strength, speed and wind, while the pursuing 
men, though hardy and much enduring, were 
slow upon their feet. 

The consequence was that the young cap- 
tain of the brig gained upon them at almost 
every spring, and dashing among a thick 
growth of trees by the roadside, he was at 
length lost to their view. 

For a short time they kept up the pursuit ; 
then gave it up, and went grumbling back 
toward the old tower. When he was sure 
that he had shaken them off, Roger made his 
way to White Towers and gave the signal 
which he had had the forethought to arrange 
with Stephen ; a few moments later one of the 
doors opened and he was admitted. 

Well ? demanded Stephen, eagerly. 

As soon as I get my breath,’^ said Roger, 

129 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


130 

sinking into a chair ; “ this sand is no easy 
thing to run in” 

You have been pursued, then ? 

But Roger refused to speak until he had 
recovered from the effects of his hard pace ; 
then he told his friend everything that he had 
seen, heard and experienced. 

They are actually going to attack White 
Towers, then,’^ exclaimed Stephen. “ In spite 
of all we have done to prepare against such an 
event, I had not quite realized that it might 
really take place.” 

The Marquis is on the ground, and you 
may be sure he intends to do just exactly 
what he said he would do. I think we may 
expect a sharp fight before dawn.” 

“ How many seamen are there from the 
Guerriere f ” 

Fully a dozen, and resolute-looking fellows 
they are.” 

“We can expect no aid from the surround- 
ing country,” said Stephen ; “ for our nearest 
neighbors are some distance out of the sound 
of a gunshot.” 

“ There are five of us ; we have plenty of 
weapons and ammunition, and four thick 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


walls to fight behind. Then there is Cato; 
he can be of service in re-loading.” 

The old negro happened to be in the library, 
where this conversation took place, lighting 
fresh candles ; and he burst out indignantly : 

“ ^Deed, den, Mars^ Roger, dis old niggah’s 
good fo’ to shoot, too ! If dey’s any scrimmag- 
ing wif dat Glastonbury man, or de British, 
Fse gwine to be in it, sho's yo^ lib, sah.” 

The two boys made a careful round of the 
house and saw that everything was secure. 
To be sure, this had been done little more 
than an hour before, but still they did not feel 
quite safe until they had reviewed their work 
upon all the doors and windows and other 
weak places. The men were also spoken to 
and told to redouble their vigilance as an 
attack might be expected at any moment. 

The tall clock in the hall had solemnly 
struck the hour of two, when Starbuck’s gruff 
voice was heard calling from his post at one 
of the front windows : 

“ Skipper, ahoy.” 

What is it, Starbuck ? ” asked Roger, as he 
stepped into the hall and made his way toward 
the man. 


132 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


There’s some sort of craft coming along 
the road, sir.” 

A craft, you lubber,” growled one of the 
other seamen, stationed near by, ** it’s a whole 
fleet.” 

Starbuck strained his eyes and peered into 
the night intently. 

So it is,” confessed he. You always did 
have the best eyes on the brig, mate.” 

They look to be cleared for action,” said 
the man spoken to, whose name was Davis, 
and they are bearing up as though they in- 
tended to board.” 

Roger looked earnestly down the road in 
the direction which Starbuck indicated. 
Though the trees overhung this, for the most 
part, still there were spots where the moon 
threw her light in broad splashes. By aid of 
these he was able to make out a compact body 
of men advancing upon the house. They 
seemed to make no attempt at concealment, 
but marched boldly forward ; and as they 
drew nearer the sound of their voices could be 
plainly heard. 

This angered Roger somewhat. 

“ They don’t think it worth while to even 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


133 

disguise their advance/^ said he to Stephen, 
who was now at his side. From my adven- 
ture with the Indian at the tower they must 
be well aware that we are awake and awaiting 
them.” 

From what you told me of the conversa- 
tion between Ravenac and the Marquis, he 
seemed to think very lightly of it all, to begin 
with,” said Stephen. 

“It is the nature of the man to hold all 
things as beneath his contempt. But,” and 
as Roger spoke he took the long barreled 
rifle from the reluctant hands of Starbuck, 
“ I think I shall give him a slight hint that 
that is not always the best frame of mind in 
which to approach everything.” 

He lifted the piece to his shoulder and 
fired through the window. There was a cry 
of pain from the advancing British, and a 
quick scattering for cover. However, there 
was one man who still held to the road ; with 
head erect he kept its very centre and walked 
fearlessly toward the house. 

“ The Marquis, himself,” cried Stephen. 

“ He's a plucky one,” said the sailor Davis, 
“ and it's not the first time he's been under 


134 the boy tars OF 1812 

fire. But give the word, captain, and Til 
make him strike his flag.’^ 

Don’t fire,” said Roger. It looks as 
though he were going to say something, and 
it would be as well for us to hear it.” 

“ It can do no harm,” said Stephen. 

Roger was correct. The elegant Marquis of 
Glastonbury advanced from the road with 
graceful dignity until he stood in the very 
centre of the lawn before White Towers. 
Here he paused, his left hand upon the hilt 
of his sword, his right upon his hip, his head 
thrown back. 

Ho, the house,” he cried. 

“ Stand away from the window,” warned 
Roger, fearing a ruse. 

As the others obeyed, he answered the 
cry. 

Ahoy,” he shouted, boldly presenting 
himself at the window. 

“ Ah,” said the Marquis, I am delighted to 
be answered so readily.” 

He stepped forward as though to approach 
the window ; but Roger presented a pistol 
promptly, and called : 

“ It would be as well, my dear Marquis, if 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 135 

you were to keep your ground. You can 
speak well enough from where you are.^^ 

The Marquis halted and laughed lightly. 

Is it possible that I am dreaded so ? ” he 
said, with his usual sneering inflection. 
Then he added : “ With whom am I speak- 
ing 

When we last met,^^ answered Roger, 
you stood upon the deck of the Little Belt 
and I upon that of the President ^ 

Oh, it is Mr. Dare, then ! And, may I 
ask, was it you who paid us the visit an hour 
or two ago, at the tower, below there ? 

It was.^’ 

You are a most active and enterprising 
boy, Mr. Dare,^^ said the Marquis, mockingly. 

Believe me I had not expected to encounter 
so worthy an antagonist in this matter. 

What is your errand ? 

You are quite right, as I suppose you al- 
ways are. The sooner we come to business 
the better for all hands. My errand to-night 
is, as I suppose you know, to gain possession 
of White Towers.^’ 

“ Not so much White Towers as something 
that it is supposed to contain, I think.’' 


136 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

The Marquis laughed once more. 

“ Your discernment is quite unprecedented/^ 
said he. And you are right.^^ 

‘‘ And how do you propose to place your- 
self in possession of this house ? 

By peaceable means if possible, Mr. Dare. 
In my day I have seen some few deeds of vio- 
lence and, believe me, peaceable means are 
always the best. There are fifteen seamen 
from his Majesty’s frigate Guerrihre within 
sound of my voice, not to speak of a most 
worthy and gallant officer in charge of them. 
Then there is Monsieur Ravenac, my friend, 
also the man of the Creek nation whom you 
used so roughly but a short time ago, and 
still again a gentleman with but one arm 
and an unquestioned genius for pistol shoot- 
ing. Lastly there is my most unworthy 
self.” 

You are very careful to enumerate your 
entire force,” said Roger Dare coolly, as he 
leaned against the window frame and sur- 
veyed the nonchalant Marquis. 

It is very bad generalship, I admit,” re- 
plied the elegant nobleman, as he smoothed 
his shirt ruffle in the moonlight and carefully 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


137 

adjusted his stock. “ However, it will show 
you how little chance five of you have to hold 
out were you foolish enough to contemplate 
such a thing.^’ 

If you had the entire crew of the ship-of- 
war in the offing at your back,’’ said Roger 
boldly, “ we would still commit that foolish- 
ness of which you speak.” 

Then you purpose to resist.” 

“ We do ; and to the last. We fully realize 
the importance of what we guard ; it may 
possibly prove the life of this nation. And 
when you cross this threshold it will be over 
our dead bodies.” 

Most gallantly spoken,” laughed the other, 
mockingly. “ But, let me assure you, most 
rashly spoken as well.” 

You have my last word in the matter,” 
said Roger. 

“ Ah, but you are not master here, remem- 
ber that.” 

But I am,” cried Stephen Randall, sud- 
denly appearing at Roger’s side, ^‘and I say 
the same as my friend.” 

In the uncertain light of the moon Roger 
could see that his friend was pale of face, but 


138 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

that his eyes were glowing with resolution. 
It seemed that the young student was growing 
accustomed to danger and could face it with 
constantly decreasing timidity. 

Think well, boy!’’ said the Marquis, 
coldly, his voice filled with deadly meaning. 
He had heard of Stephen’s nervous disposition 
and thought to play upon his fears. But the 
boy replied : 

“ I have thought it all out, long ago. And 
now stand back. If you are within gunshot 
when one minute has passed you shall be 
fired upon.” 

Without a word the Marquis bowed deeply, 
and turning walked toward the trees, where 
he disappeared. 

Roger took Stephen by the arm and quickly 
drew him away from the window ; almost at 
the same instant a crash of rifle shots came 
from the trees and smashed the glass in the 
sash above their heads. 

“The fight is on,” said the young master 
of the Spitfire, “ So shoot whenever you see 
a sign of one of them, my men.” 

“ Then here goes,” cried Starbuck, who had 
reloaded his piece. He threw it forward and 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


139 

pulled the trigger; a yell showed that the 
bullet had found its mark. 

Not to be outdone, Davis also fired, but 
silence greeted his shot. 

Don't waste any ammunition," warned 
Roger. “We must be careful, as we may be 
walled up here longer than we think." 

There was no sound of any sort from with- 
out for some time. At length the third sailor 
who was on the outlook at the other side of 
the house, shouted : 

“ Here they come ! " 

Roger and Starbuck sprang to his aid just as 
his rifie exploded. The man clubbed his piece 
and began to beat back a half-dozen figures 
that were attempting to force their way through 
a window. The cutlasses of Roger and his 
aid soon caused these to retreat, and a couple 
of shots from their heavy pistols made them 
hasten their pace considerably as they made 
for the trees. 

“ They were on me before I knew it," ex- 
plained the sailor. “And they expected to 
have an easy thing of it from the way they 
began to climb in. I guess they didn't think 
to find any one at this side." 


140 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


“Starbuck, you stay here with Barlow,” 
ordered Roger ; you may be needed.” 

“ If dey is free at de front side, dey should 
be free at dis yeah side, too,” remarked old 
Cato as he came forward with a musket and a 
brace of loaded pistols. So to make things 
equal, Mars^ Roger, dis yeah niggah^s gwine to 
stay right heah.” 

“ Very well, Cato,” answered the boy smil- 
ingly. We’re glad to have you.” 

For some time after this all was silent from 
the outside ; indeed this continued for so long 
that Roger began to grow restless. 

They have given up the attempt, perhaps,” 
suggested Stephen. 

But Roger would not listen to such a thing. 

“ Depend upon it,” said he, “ it only means 
some new trick of the Marquis. He is not the 
man to be beaten so easily.” 

What can he do other than rush the house 
and attempt to force an entrance ? ” 

“ I don’t know. But he is a man of re- 
source. If one thing fails him he is likely to 
have another ready to put forward for trial. 
I think we may rest assured that he is not yet 
beaten.” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


141 

A half hour passed, but still there was no 
sign. 

I think they must have hauled off for re- 
pairs, captain,” sang out Starbuck from his 
post at the rear of the house. We cut up 
some of the rigging of that last lot, and we 
hulled a few of ’em before that.” 

Keep your eye out for a sudden rush,” 
directed Roger. “ They are up to some strat- 
agem.” 

He was standing at one of the front win- 
dows as he spoke ; his eyes traveled away 
toward the old tower, and he was astonished 
to catch far down the road, a sudden gleam of 
light, which as suddenly vanished. 

Strange!” he muttered; what can that 
be?” 

Again came the flash, and yet again. 

“ Three times,” said Roger. “ A signal, as 
sure as I live.” Then he shouted warningly. 
Ready all I ” 

No sooner had his words rang through the 
rooms when a sudden volley from front and 
rear sounded, and the boat’s crew of the Brit- 
ish frigate rushed forward upon both sides 
simultaneously. The defenders blazed away 


142 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


with their rifles, and then, as this did not stop 
the rush, brought their pistols into play. In 
reckless disregard of the flaring muzzles, a 
brawny tar leaped through a window and was 
at once cut down by a swinging sword 
stroke by Roger. Stephen emptied pistol after 
pistol in the faces of the enemy, and Davis was 
growling like a bear and dealing lusty blows 
at every head that appeared at his window. 

At the rear Starbuck, Barlow, and Cato had 
a smaller party to contend with ; but almost 
at the very first fire Starbuck received a bullet 
through his shoulder and so was partly inca- 
pacitated. However, he stood gallantly to his 
post and struck hard and fired often, while 
old Cato worked as he had never worked be- 
fore, reloading the firearms and sometimes dis- 
charging one when the press without grew 
alarming. 

The attack finally began to weaken ; the 
British boat’s crew fell back ; but in a few 
moments they resumed firing from a slight 
distance. The moon was now, for the time 
being, obscured by a cloud-drift, and the pis- 
tols spat red and spitefully in the gloom. 
Roger saw at once that the enemy could not 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 143 

hope to gain any advantage by such a method 
of fighting as this, and at last he grew sus- 
picious that all was not well. 

“ I^m going to see what^s going on at the 
rear,^^ said he at length, to Stephen. It 
seems to me that something is afoot.’’ 

“Why?” asked Stephen, as he stood, rifle 
in hand, at one of the shattered windows, 
cautiously peering out. 

“ I can’t understand why a signal should be 
given from far down the road for this attack 
to begin ; and neither can I understand why 
it is protracted in this fashion unless it is to 
gain time. As I said before, the Marquis is 
probably engaged in some ruse of which we 
know nothing.” 

In passing through the library toward the 
rear rooms, he all but stumbled across the 
hound crouched upon the floor. 

“ Frightened, Nip ? ” said he, for the firing 
seemed to have the dog much excited. “ Well 
never mind, old dog, it will soon be over.” 

But the dog never raised his eyes, which 
surprised Roger, for the animal was a most 
friendly one. The heavy tail waved slowly, 
the ears were cocked, and growl after growl 


144 the boy tars OF 1812 

rumbled in its throat. The boy halted with 
a start. 

'' Not the fireplace, again, Nip,'^ said he, as 
he followed the direction of the dog^s gaze. 

A half dozen quick steps took him to the 
huge bricked space with its backing of stone ; 
he listened intently, but the barking of the fire- 
arms within and without made it most diffi- 
cult to hear anything else. So, stooping, he 
stepped inside the fireplace and placed his ear 
against the slab at its back. He caught his 
breath as he realized what the stratagem of 
the Marquis of Glastonbury was to be, for 
from behind the slab he could hear the 
smooth voice of that gentleman as he said : 

I have no more patience, Ravenac, with 
your secret mechanisms. You have been try- 
ing to discover a fancied spring this last half 
hour. Stand back, let gunpowder do the 
work ; it is prompt and does its duty well in 
every instance.” 

Then came the hiss of a fuse and a tiny curl 
of smoke crept through an aperture at the 
edge of the slab. Roger sprang back the full 
length of the room ; an instant later there came 
a dull report and the fireplace collapsed, a 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 145 

ruin ; then through a jagged hole in the wall 
from which poured a cloud of smoke, stepped 
the Marquis of Glastonbury with Ravenac at 
his back. 

A mocking smile illumined his face as he 
caught sight of the young master of the 
Spijitre, 

“ Well met, Mr. Dare,’’ said he with a 
bow. “ I had not hoped for this good for- 
tune.” 

He turned back the lace ruffle at his wrist 
and the long, naked sword which he held in 
his hand sung shrilly as he swished it through 
the air. 

The pleasure is mutual,” said Roger as he 
eyed the tall graceful figure of the man and 
caught the cold, relentless expression of his 
face. His pistol was empty, so he threw it 
from him, and drew his sword, the same short 
weapon which he had strapped to his side 
upon starting out for the tower. 

Your friends are kept too busy at their 
posts to render you any aid,” said the Marquis, 
sneeringly, as an increase in the firing was 
noticed about this time. 

I hardly think any help will be necessary,” 


146 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

replied Roger, quietly, as he balanced his blade 
in his hands, and stood ready for what might 
come. 

Ravenac had taken no part in this con- 
versation. Immediately upon entering the 
library he had darted toward a niche-like 
space in one of the walls. This had been 
filled up with shelves which were loaded with 
books ; but Ravenac tore the volumes from 
their places and scattered them about the floor, 
after which he began feverishly tracing with 
one finger the painted pattern upon the 
wall behind the shelves. Almost instantly 
he found what he sought; a sort of panel 
slid open and with a cry he thrust in his 
hand. 

Roger heard the cry and his eyes shifted 
from the Marquis to Ravenac. He gave an 
answering cry and sprang toward the man, 
but the Marquis glided between them, his 
blade pointed at the lad’s breast. 

“ Hold your distance,” said he, calmly. 
^‘Monsieur Ravenac has a small matter of 
business and does not desire to be inter- 
rupted.” 

Roger saw that words would be useless, and 



JLJ OLD YOUR DISTANCE," 
HE SAID LALMLY 




THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


HI 

shifting his right foot forward, their swords 
crossed with a ring. 

You have a strong wrist,’’ said the noble- 
man, as Roger put aside one of his lightning 
thrusts and dealt a cut with his short heav}^ 
weapon that made him guard like a flash. 

A strong wrist and a steady eye.” 

Roger made no reply, but pressed forward ; 
not once did he allow the other to assume the 
offensive, knowing well that, with the supe- 
rior skill in fence of the Marquis, this would 
mean certain defeat for himself. 

But he had not made a dozen cuts in all, 
when a second cry broke from Ravenac, this 
time a cry of rage. 

It is not there ! ” he shouted, whirling 
about, his face white and his eyes glaring. 

Do you hear ? It is not there ! This is some 
of Mayhew’s work ! ” 

The words had scarcely left his lips when 
there came a thunderous crash of arms from 
without, followed by startled shouts and the 
sound of running feet. 

Roger,” shouted Stephen, joyfully, from 
the hall beyond ; help has arrived. The 
British are running.” 


148 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

Ra venae ! ” cried the Marquis of Glaston- 
bury, fury and baffled hate in his voice. 

After me.^' 

With a twist of the wrist he disarmed 
Roger and bounded from the room, the 
Frenchman at his back. 

Roger rushed after them. He saw them 
leap through a window and fiercely engage, 
with sword and pistol, a group of armed 
farmers. Then they broke away and van- 
ished, followed by a sleet of bullets, among 
the trees. 


CHAPTER XI 


THE SPITFIRE PUTS TO SEA 

A CLOSE pursuit was made of the fleeing 
British ; but at the bay-shore it was discov- 
ered that a heavily manned long boat had 
just landed from the Guerrilre; and so the 
farmers contented themselves with emptying 
their guns at the boats as they pulled away 
for the distant frigate, carrying a few dead and 
quite a number of wounded with them. 

The timely arrival of the rescue party at 
White Towers had been entirely due to 
chance ; the British war-ship had been seen 
to enter those waters late in the afternoon, 
and as her suspicious actions gave rise to the 
idea that her commander contemplated an 
attack somewhere along the Long Island 
shore, the alarm was spread, and the farmers 
began to gather at a point about a mile below. 
Upon the sound of continued firing reaching 
them, they advanced with all haste and came 
149 


150 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

upon the scene of the struggle as already de- 
scribed. 

When morning dawned the Guerriere had 
vanished ; and as there seemed no immediate 
danger of any further landings, the farmers 
also took their departure. 

The war news only reached us during the 
afternoon, said one, as they were going ; so, 
from now on, I suppose, we will be kept busy 
watching for the frigates that slip up this far 
in the night.” 

During the morning Roger and Stephen 
paid a visit to the old stone tower ; there were 
some cooking utensils, used by its late occu- 
pants, and some remains of food, but that was 
all. 

They have gone for good,” said Roger, as 
they stood gazing about the place ; ‘‘ and now 
the first thing for us to do is to set about 
blocking up this underground passage, so that 
another enterprising Glastonbury cannot enter 
and take us in the back as was done to-night.” 

They found, in the cellar of the tower, the 
entrance to the passage, and made their way 
through it toward the house. It was a nar- 
row, damp sort of tunnel, the ceiling of which 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


was very low, and progress through it was 
slow. Luckily they had brought a candle, 
and this dimly lighted their way. 

“ Monsieur Ravenac must have spent many 
discouraging moments in this place/' laughed 
Roger, and I'll venture to say that many's 
the time he was tempted to give it up before 
he discovered the door behind the fireplace." 

Next day, masons were sent for, and they 
at once began the erection of a solid wall of 
stone work at both ends of the passage, a task 
which Stephen witnessed with great satisfac- 
tion. However, in the meantime, the two 
boys had discussed all the matters connected 
with the exciting affair of the night before. 

At any rate," said Roger, they were 
compelled to take ship without securing what 
they desired. Ravenac seemed to have some 
reason to be perfectly certain that the cipher 
would be in the little hole in the wall ; and," 
with a laugh, he was most disappointed 
when he found it empty." 

I cannot understand what he meant by 
the exclamation you say he made," said 
Stephen, puzzled. Are you quite sure he 
mentioned the name of May hew ? " 


152 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


I am positive. He said : * This is some 
of Mayhew^s work.' Perhaps Mayhew is the 
one-armed man whom he had with him, and 
whom I never saw. He may suspect him of 
stealing a march upon him for some purpose." 

“ No ; that is not it ; the one-armed man's 
name is Spangler ; I heard Ravenac address 
him by that name shortly after he and the 
Indian came here." 

“ Well, at any rate, they are apparently 
gone, and without much hope of ever finding 
the cipher." 

Then you do not think they will return ? " 
I don't know," doubtfully. Perhaps 
not ; but then one cannot tell. Do you feel 
assured in your own mind that the paper is 
secreted somewhere in White Towers ? " 

I do. But where ? — that is the question." 

Roger pondered for some time, and at last 
he said : 

Do you know what I would do if I were 
you ? " 

“ What would you do ? " 

I'd place the entire matter in the hands 
of the War Department — tell them the story 
of this attempt, and ask that they send people 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


153 


here to investigate the whole matter — to 
knock White Towers apart stone by stone if 
necessary, in the search for this important 
document.’^ 

“ Do you think they would do so ? 

“ I am perfectly confident of it. Indeed I 
think they would send soldiers to take charge 
whether you liked it or not, if this matter of 
the Marquis once reached their ears.’’ 

“ That never occurred to me,” said Stephen 
as he looked thoughtfully at his friend ; “ and 
I don’t know but what you are right.” 

Depend upon it, I am.” 

Next morning Stephen had made up his 
mind. 

I have written a letter to the Secretary of 
War,” said he, holding up a sealed sheet, “ and 
have told him everything, and begged him to 
take whatever action he thinks best in the 
matter, at once.” 

“ Good,” cried Roger. “ And you will see 
that he will act with all promptness, as he will 
consider the matter most urgent.” 

In this Roger Dare was correct. Before 
many days passed a small tender, flying the 
Stars and Stripes, ran into the bay and dropped 


154 the boy tars OF 1812 

anchor. A full score of regulars were landed 
upon the beach, as were also two officers in 
smart uniforms. 

I am Captain Thornton of the Seventh In- 
fantry,” said one of them to the boys, as the 
soldiers were halted in front of White Towers. 
“ And my business is with Mr. Stephen Ran- 
dall.” 

“ That is my name,” said Stephen, stepping 
forward. 

The officer handed him a sealed paper 
which the lad read at once. 

“You are to take charge of the place, then, 
captain,” said he to the officer as he finished. 

“ Such are my orders. And you will par- 
don me if I do so at once.” 

While the soldiers were being stationed 
about in a most businesslike way, Stephen 
said to Roger : 

“ I am asked to return with the tender ; I 
am wanted at Washington at once.” 

All things were arranged with Captain 
Thornton and his brother officer during the 
day ; and next morning Stephen boarded the 
government vessel awaiting him. 

“ Good-bye, Steve,” called Roger from the 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


155 


boat alongside. I suppose you will return 
before long, but the brig will not be here 
when you get back. The next time she runs 
into this bay shell be an armed letter-of- 
marque, and carrying a crew of fifty.” 

“ Good luck ! ” called Stephen over the 
rail. The tender had her anchor up and the 
newly hoisted foresails had just bellied in the 
breeze. 

“ When I return here it will be to take you 
to sea to fight the British,” cried Roger, mak- 
ing a trumpet of his hands so that his words 
would carry to the now fast moving vessel. 

Stephen waved his hand in reply ; in a short 
time the tender had reached the open sea, and 
squared away upon her return run. Roger 
sat in the boat, drifting about the bay until 
his friend had vanished in the distance ; then 
he pulled for the brig and climbed aboard. 
There was no need of his going ashore 
again ; all his men were aboard and the troops 
had charge of White Towers. So he gave the 
word to up anchor and make sail ; and in a 
very little while the staunch little Spitfire 
was plunging her way through the long roll- 
ers of the Atlantic, on her way home. 


CHAPTER XII 


THE BRAGGAKT GUEBBIEBE ONCE MORE 

Roger Dare had sailed along this stretch 
of coast many times, but never had he seen 
the shipping so thin ; in fact all the way up 
he met but half a dozen, and these ran like 
frightened sea-birds as soon as his topmasts 
showed. 

The British ships must have been prowl- 
ing hereabouts, said Roger to his first mate. 

“ That must be it,” said the mate, and 
they seem to have scared every Yankee sail 
into port and made the few that have 
ventured out afraid of their own shadows.” 

But upon the afternoon of the same day 
they came upon a fast sailing schooner whose 
skipper seemed more venturesome than any 
of the others, for he brought his craft near 
enough to the Spitfire to find out what she 
was ; and when Roger showed his colors, the 
vessel came within speaking distance. 

The schooner’s skipper was a Yankee to 
156 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 157 

the core, and he seemed to resent the state of 
things. 

‘‘ The people at Washington ought to send 
a frigate into these waters,” he complained. 
“ Kerens a consarned Britisher running every 
mother’s son of a coasting vessel up the 
cricks and rivers, and not a gun to fire at 
her. What do we pay taxes for, I’d like to 
know.” 

What sort of a ship is she ? Have you 
heard?” 

Didn’t have to hear,” snorted the Yankee ; 
she gave me a six hour run yesterday that 
made me hang out every stitch of canvas I 
carry. She’s a smart sailer, and her crew 
can work her guns! See that?” and he 
pointed to a huge, patched rent in his main- 
sail. Well, the Britisher did that ; but the 
Polly Ann is handy with her heels, and so I 
gave them the slip at the end.” 

As the schooner sailed away the Spitfire fell 
into the wind once more and continued upon 
her course. 

I wish we had our guns on board,” said 
the young second mate, as he paced the deck 
by Roger’s side. He was but a few years 


158 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

Roger^s senior and never seemed to forget the 
hardship that he had suffered when im- 
pressed into the British service. 

The light guns the brig will carry would 
not even make an impression upon a heavy 
frigate/^ answered Roger with a smile. 

“ I don’t know,” and the mate shook his 
head doubtfully, there is no telling. Cap- 
tain Barry and Captain Jones did many things 
in the last war with England, that folks would 
have thought impossible. But the doing 
proves everything, and I think the Spitfire 
will make a name for herself! ” 

I trust that you are right,” said Roger, 
and his heart warmed at the thought. “ At 
least we shall endeavor to make a name both 
for the ship and for ourselves.” 

At four bells in the afternoon a sail was 
sighted, apparently bearing down upon them. 
There was a good breeze and the stranger was 
a fast sailer ; but Roger kept his course with- 
out spreading more sail ; however he watched 
the newcomer keenly. 

She may prove an American,” said he to 
the second mate, and until we discover that 
she is not I do not intend to run.” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


159 

But in a short time he was convinced that 
the ship was not only British, but was in fact 
the braggart, Guerrierey with her name still 
painted upon her foretopsail in staring letters 
of black. 

“ Clap on every rag she will carry,” said the 
young captain, as soon as this discovery was 
made, “ and hug the coast as much as possible.” 

The little crew of the brig manned the yards 
and spread the white sails to the breeze. The 
rock-bound Maine coast was plain to be seen 
over the port rail ; far away the black rocks 
poked their heads above the spume that 
frothed about them. 

It’s a dangerous run,” said the first mate 
with a shake of the head. 

Not so much for us as for the frigate,” 
answered the young master. He had his 
glass, a long, powerful affair, focused upon 
the British war-ship steadily, and noted that 
she did not venture in any further toward the 
shore. I suppose they are anxiously look- 
ing over their charts and wondering how ac- 
curate they are.” 

Those are eigh teens she carries in her 
main deck battery,” said the first mate, “and 


i6o THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


before long she'll take the risk of creeping in 
far enough to get the range of us." 

The little brig bounded from wave to wave 
under the press of canvas which she now car- 
ried ; from the deck to her topmost yards she 
was piled with it, and every inch was draw- 
ing. 

The old lady is acting well," said Roger, 
proudly, as he noticed this. It's just the 
sort of breeze that suits her." 

But the Guerriere was a vessel of remarka- 
ble swiftness. She was French built, having 
been taken from that nation in an action some 
years before ; but she had been greatly changed 
in trim and rigging, and was now considered 
one of Britain's most formidable frigates, both 
as to sailing and fighting qualities. If the 
slant and pressure of the wind suited the 
SpitfiTCf it also seemed to suit the war-ship ; 
she went plunging her huge black hull through 
the seas, white with canvas, her decks slanting 
at a sharp angle to leeward, her crew at 
their stations, ready to open fire upon the fiy- 
ing brig when they got within range. 

She's gaining upon us," admitted Roger, 
at last, turning to the first mate. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 161 

** Yes, and she’s gaining in daring, too,” 
answered the latter. “ She’s a good mile 
nearer the coast than she was a half hour 
ago.” 

Roger had great pride in the speed of his 
little brig, but he knew full well that under 
existing conditions she could never escape the 
great black hawk of a frigate that was slowly 
closing in upon her. 

If darkness were only to settle,” he mut- 
tered, anxiously, as he leaned upon the star- 
board rail and searched the eastern sky. 

The gray forerunner of night was stretching 
its shadowy hands above the far off horizon 
line ; but the red rays of the sun still lingered 
upon the face of the waters. 

It will be an hour before night draws on 
completely,” he continued, still muttering to 
himself. ‘‘ I could escape easily enough in the 
darkness ; but he’ll get the range of me before 
that time.” 

Nearer and nearer crept the frigate toward 
the coast. She had no difficulty in keeping 
even with the flying brig ; her commander’s 
only anxiety was for water enough to bring 
his heavy guns into play. Finally an eighteen 


i62 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


was fired to test the distance, the shot fell short, 
but so little as to make Roger’s mouth tighten 
and his jaw set. 

“ She’ll be knocking the splinters out of us 
in another ten minutes,” said the first mate. 

“ Send her in shore further,” ordered 
Roger. 

“ There’s only a few feet more than we are 
drawing,” said the second mate as he came aft 
with the lead. And it shoals rapidly in 
some places hereabouts. We’ll scrape our keel 
upon Davy Jones’ ribs, sir, if we don’t take 
care, as it is.” 

Roger paced the after deck like a trapped 
panther, his hands clasped behind him, his 
eyes never leaving the pursuing war-ship for 
a second, his brain awhirl with plans of escape. 
Finally a thought seemed to strike him, and 
he caught his breath sharply. He turned 
upon his second mate. 

“ Take two men for’ard,” commanded he, 
“ and stand ready to let go the bow anchor 
when I give the word.” 

The young mate’s eyes widened, but he an- 
swered promptly, 

“ Ay, ay, sir.” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 163 

As the men went forward, Roger said to the 
elder mate : 

Pm going to strip her to the poles. Have 
your men stand ready ; but do it quietly.” 

Then some extra spars were brought upon 
deck and laid ready to hand. The small crew 
of the Spitfire was composed of trained and 
able seamen, accustomed to obey orders 
promptly. So at the sharp, rapidly spoken 
words of the young captain, the man at the 
wheel luffed, the anchor plunged from the 
bow into the sea, and the sails came in like 
magic, leaving the brave little vessel bare and 
apparently helpless. Then a boat was lowered 
carrying a line from the stern ; the spare spars 
were hoisted out over the sides ; then those in 
the boat pulled, while those at the poles shoved 
apparently with might and main. 

From the decks of the Guerri^re it looked 
for all the world as though the brig had run 
aground ; quick orders were roared forth, and 
the frigate hauled off and stood away from the 
dangerous shoal like a frightened buzzard. 
She beat backward and forward, far out of 
range, as though uncertain what to do. At 
length, as Roger kept his men at the poles and 


i64 the boy tars OF 1812 

the boats, to all appearances working desper- 
ately, the commander of the frigate came to 
the conclusion that they would not be able to 
float her. He lowered and manned two boats 
with armed seamen, but before they could be 
called away darkness had settled upon the sea 
and they had to give the enterprise up. 

Well, sir,’' cried the first mate, that did 
the trick. They’ll not catch us now.” 

As soon as night concealed his operations, 
Roger hoisted in the boat, shipped the side 
poles, and quietly raised the bow anchor. 
Not a glimmer of light was to be seen upon 
the little brig, as she spread her canvas to the 
still fresh breeze, and filled away through the 
darkness like a ghost, 


CHAPTER XIII 


THE CONSTITUTION TAKES THE GUERBIERE 

When morning dawned the Guerrihe was 
nowhere to be seen, and so the saucy little 
brig slipped along the coast unafraid, and at 
last entered Casco Bay and then finally a nar- 
row but deep creek upon the banks of which 
were the Dare shipyards. 

Roger's father greeted him warmly. He 
was a bronzed, elderly man with iron gray hair 
and beard, and the unmistakable air of a sea- 
farer. 

I had about given you up as a prisoner to 
the British," said he, as they seated them- 
selves in the little office of the yards, the walls 
of which were lined with beautiful models of 
the schooners and brigs which had been turned 
out there. What delayed you ? " 

Roger in a very few words acquainted his 
father with the happenings and present situ- 
ation at White Towers. The old ship-builder 
whistled. 

165 


i66 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


It^s a nasty state of affairs,” said he. 
“ And do you think this man Ra venae has 
gone for good ? ” 

“ I do not really know if he is gone at all,” 
answered the boy. “ The British frigate left 
those waters with both him and the Marquis 
of Glastonbury on board, and I suppose, the 
other two men, also ; but it would have been 
an easy matter to have landed any one they 
chose farther down the coast.” 

‘‘ And so the authorities are now in pos- 
session,” said the elder man, as he crossed his 
legs and clasped his hands about his knee. 
“ Well, depend upon it, they will do very lit- 
tle. The officers in charge will obey orders to 
the letter, and probably keep off all prowlers, 
but that is all. Their methods are too cut 
and dried to accomplish anything original in 
the way of a discovery.” 

Roger talked with his father a long time 
about the affairs of the yard, the war, and the 
prospects of success. 

“ There will be no lack of privateers to prey 
upon the enemy ^s commerce,” said Mr. Dare. 
“ They are fitting out all along the coast. 
Every fast merchantman that is solid enough 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 167 

to stand the shock of a battery of guns is 
being overhauled, armed and made ready for 
sea.” 

But the navy itself, father ? ” 

Mr. Dare shook his head. 

We have a half dozen frigates that cannot 
be equaled the seas over. But the British 
have hundreds — and mostly staunch sea- 
going ships, heavily armed and manned. 
And yet,” his face brightening, “ they had as 
many in the war for independence, and we 
less than we have now.” 

And we won then,” suggested Roger. 

“ We may win now,” answered his father. 
Of course Roger spent that night at home, 
leaving the brig in charge of his first officer. 
The boy’s mother had been dead for many 
years, and a younger sister was the house- 
keeper. She was delighted to see her brother, 
for during the last month she had worried a 
great deal about him. 

Now that those dreadful British are going 
about in their war-ships, I suppose you will 
stay at home,” she said, while she hovered 
behind his chair at supper, helping him and 
petting him as she was accustomed to do. 


i68 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


“ Because they are going about in their war- 
ships is the very reason why I cannot stay at 
home, Flo,’’ said the lad. “ There must be 
some one to meet the enemy upon the sea, or 
else he’ll be sailing into Casco Bay, and other 
places, and burning the roofs over people’s 
heads.” 

Flora paled a little. She always knew that in 
the event of war Roger would be one of the first 
to take up arms ; but now that the time was 
at hand it seemed even more terrible than she 
had anticipated. However, she said nothing 
against his purpose — for the girl was a sound 
patriot; and then again she knew that it 
would be of no use. 

Next morning Roger and his father walked 
to the yard together. They passed the naked 
skeletons of several vessels upon the stocks ; 
the sound of maul and adze, and the ring of 
the caulker’s mallet mingled with the steady 
rasp of the saws and the chant of men as 
they hauled timbers, by block and fall, to 
place. Before a small building near the 
water’s edge the old ship-builder paused and 
took a key from his pocket. Unlocking the 
door he and Roger entered. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 i6g 

At one side of the low room were a line of 
tarpaulin covered carronades; near them again 
was a long eighteen pounder also swathed 
with coverings. 

“ You know what my intentions were with 
regard to the SpitfirCy^^ said Mr. Dare. 

To mount these on board of her and sail 
against the British,” answered Roger. 

“ Do you think you could manage her as a 
war craft ? ” and the ship-builder looked anx- 
iously at his son from under his heavy grizzled 
brows. 

** I do,” returned the lad, promptly. You 
know, I understand gunnery, father ; my 
year’s cruise in a government ship taught me 
that, and the use of small arms. And you 
know, also, that I understand the handling 
of the brig in all sorts of weathers.” 

Old Captain Dare was not a man given 
to displaying his feelings ; but a close ob- 
server would have seen the proud light that 
came into his eyes as he clasped his son’s 
hand. 

Very well, my boy,” said he. ** These 
barkers shall be aboard the brig before the 
week is done, and you shall have your letter- 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


170 

of -marque all regularly from Washington 
within a fortnight/^ 

Mr. Dare was as good as his word. The 
Spitfire was docked, her bottom scraped and 
re-coppered ; then new spars were put in and 
a dress of sails, after which the guns were 
swung aboard. The little vessel had now a 
battery of six guns to a side ; the long eight- 
een was mounted upon a pivot at the bow ; a 
great number of cutlasses, pistols, muskets and 
a quantity of ammunition and round shot 
were also taken in. 

When all was ready there appeared upon the 
dead walls of the town, the following placard : 

SEAMEN 

The Spitfire^ letter-of-marque, is about to sail 
Be Brave and Patriotic 
Sign with her and gain glory and prize money 
Eoger Dare, Master 


The brig was the first privateer to sail from 
Casco Bay, and in her were a crew of fifty, able, 
hardy young sea-dogs, mostly fishermen and 
deep water sailors. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


171 

** There is not a handier little craft nor a 
likelier looking lot of men afloat,” said Mr. 
Taylor, the first mate. He had been a war- 
rant officer in a sloop-of-war in the war with 
the Barbary pirates, and was a man of experi- 
ence. And if we do not take some prizes 
before we are many days at sea I shall be much 
disappointed.” 

Roger stood upon his quarter-deck looking 
smart, natty and handsome in his tight fitting 
blue uniform with its brass buttons and gold 
lace. 

‘‘ There must be many British merchantmen 
newly come into these waters who are not aware 
of the opening of the war,” he said. “ It is my 
hope that we overhaul some of them.” 

“ Let us sight them,” said the second mate, 
who was all enthusiasm, “ and they are ours. 
No merchantman afloat can show her heels to 
the Spitfire now.” 

They coasted north ; the third day out the 
brig took a large British ship which was mak- 
ing for the Gulf of St. Lawrence. A prize 
crew was placed in her and she was taken into 
Portsmouth. That same afternoon a small fleet 
of five sail was encountered. The Spitfire 


172 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


headed for them, when from their midst came 
an armed schooner which at once opened a 
brisk fire. The brig at once answered this and 
closed in ; a spirited contest was carried on, 
then the brig laid alongside her enemy, and 
Roger, at the head of a boarding party, sprang 
over her rail and took her within five min- 
utes. 

But no sooner had the schooner^s crew 
thrown down their arms than a large ship dy- 
ing the British fiag was seen approaching 
under full sail. 

“ Mr. Taylor,’’ directed Roger, after he had 
examined the stranger through his glass, put 
a crew into this vessel and have her make all 
sail to the nearest port. I fancy that we are 
about to have some entertainment of this 
frigate’s providing.” 

A small crew under a prize-master were put 
into the schooner ; the British seamen were 
ordered into the hold of the brig, and sail 
was made away to the north. 

“ I hate to leave those behind me,’' said the 
young master, as he gazed regretfully at the 
distant sails of the scattered fieet of merchant- 
men ; “ but we are not strong enough to wait 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


m 

for this ship coming on, so we’ll have to run 
for it.” 

The captured schooner made hasty sail ; but 
the British war-ship never troubled her ; the 
Spitfire was the object of the frigate’s regard, 
and she came bowling along in full pursuit 
of the trim little letter-of-marquey like a great 
hound upon the scent. 

Up to this time there had been no naval en- 
gagements of any consequence since the open- 
ing of the war a few months before. 
Upon the land the armies of the United States 
had met with reverse after reverse ; the gar- 
rison at Fort Chicago had been slaughtered, 
the city of Detroit had been disgracefully sur- 
rendered by Hull without the firing of a shot ; 
the raw militia upon the Niagara frontier was 
in a state of panic ; and while all of this had 
not as yet filtered its way through to Wash- 
ington, still something brooding and pall-like 
hung over the nation, while the people awaited 
with anxiety the day that would give them a 
victory. 

Roger Dare continued pacing his quarter- 
deck, his eyes still fixed upon the swiftly fol- 
lowing ship, dead astern. 


J74 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


A stern chase is a long one/’ he remarked 
to Mr. Taylor, his first officer. ''Does she 
seem to be gaining any ? ” 

"Yes,” answered the mate, "she’s over- 
hauling us briskly, sir.” 

" I fancied so myself. Shake out every 
stitch of canvas sheTl hold. The Spitfire can 
walk away from most of them ; let’s see if she 
can’t leave this fellow behind.” 

But in spite of the additional sail and every 
trick that expert seamanship could suggest the 
war-ship still gained. 

At length she was near enough for Roger to 
make her out clearly, and as his glass swept 
her he uttered an exclamation of astonish- 
ment. 

" It’s our old friend the Guerrierefi he cried. 
" See, there is her name painted upon her 
foretopsail.” 

A few moments later, Taylor, who was also 
inspecting the frigate, said : 

" What lettering is that upon her sides? ” 

" I had noticed that,” answered Roger, " but 
cannot make it out.” 

However, the frigate drew on rapidly ; soon 
she yawed to fire one of her bow guns at the 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


175 

chase, and Roger read, painted in sprawling 
letters of white upon the black hull : 

This is Not the Little Belt 

The young master of the Spitfire laughed. 

Ah, so that affair rankles, does it? ” said 
he. “ Well, my friend, if you should chance 
to run across the President^ she might con- 
vince you that you are not much superior to 
the Little Belt^ for all your braggart ways.'^ 

The oncoming ship fired another gun ; and 
as its rolling detonation was still echoing over 
the choppy sea, there came a hail from the 
masthead of the brig : 

Sail ho ! 

Where away ? shouted Taylor. 

“ Dead ahead, sir.’^ 

So intently had all on board the Spitfire 
been watching the pursuing frigate that they 
neglected to notice the appearance of a power- 
ful looking ship, under easy sail, which was 
dashing the seas in showers of foam from un- 
der her stem, and approaching pursuer and 
pursued warily. 

She had all the appearance of a great sea 


176 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

bird, so confident was her trim, so cautious, 
yet bold, her bearing. At her peak fiew 
the Stars and Stripes, and as Roger caught 
sight of its bright folds, he gave a great sigh 
of relief. 

“ Run up our colors,*^ he commanded. 

The order was obeyed, and the brig headed 
directly for the American vessel. It was plain 
to be seen that the latter was a war-ship ; the 
mass of men who gathered at her rails and 
swarmed in her rigging was too great for a 
merchantman ; and then, as they drew near 
to her, they saw the open ports and the double 
tier of grinning guns. 

The people upon the Guerriere caught sight 
of the newcomer at about the same time as 
those upon the Spitfire; and the British ship 
fell off and then lay with flapping sails, her of- 
ficers examining the other, anxiously. While 
they were so doing, Roger ran his vessel as 
near to the American as he dared to go. When 
he was almost under her lee, a voice hailed 
him from her high deck : 

“ Ahoy ! What vessel is that ? ” 

The Spitfire j letter-of-marque, out of Bar- 
haven. What ship is that? 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


177 

The United States frigate, Constitution. 
Can your skipper come aboard ? 

Ay, ay ! answered Roger. 

A boat was hastily lowered and the young 
master of the brig was pulled to the side of the 
frigate and went up the lines like a monkey. 
A fine looking officer in the dress of a 
captain stood upon the quarter-deck, and he 
greeted Roger warmly. 

“ So you have been having a little run from 
yonder very competent looking frigate, eh ? 
laughed he, nodding toward the Englishman 
which lay a half-mile away, motionless upon 
the sea. 

“ It's the second run I've had from her 
within a fortnight," said Roger, and the 
third in a few months. The second time I 
slipped away from her in the darkness ; but 
the first she overhauled me in New York bay 
and took a passenger out of my ship." 

“ Ah, so you are Captain Dare of the Spit- 
fire ! " The naval officer looked at him with 
interest. “ I have heard of you from the com- 
mander of the President. Allow me to intro- 
duce myself : Captain Isaac Hull, at present 
master of this ship." 


178 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

All the time he had been speaking Hull’s 
eyes would ever and again seek the enemy. 
He now called to his first lieutenant : 

“ Clear for action.” 

While this was being done, the Constitution^ 
with sheets eased, bore down upon the British 
ship. It was half-past three o’clock when all 
was ready, and the Yankee tars stood at their 
posts ready for the battle to begin. 

Now, Mr. Dare,” said Captain Hull, briskly, 
^‘it’s high time you were leaving us. We’ll 
be as busy as nailers here in a few minutes 
more.” 

“ If it’s all the same to you,” said Roger, as 
he paused upon the rail before descending, 
“ I’d like to take part in this fight.” 

Captain Hull laughed. 

“ My lad,” said he, and the young sailor 
noticed a gleam in his eyes, at least hold 
your hand until you see me in trouble. This 
is to be a duel between the Constitution and 
the bully of our coast ; and I intend to show 
the British what a Yankee frigate can do.” 

Within a quarter of an hour Roger stood 
upon his own deck ; the brig was under a few 
light sails only, and her crew crowded to the 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


179 

rails, eager to see the first great sea struggle 
of the war. 

The Guerriere hoisted the scarlet banner of 
England, and calmly awaited the Constitu- 
tion's approach. The latter came on boldly ; 
indeed, so fearlessly did she bear down upon 
her foe that the British commander. Captain 
Dacres, looked on in astonishment. British 
naval officers had been taught that Americans 
never fought save when some trickery gave 
them an advantage. 

The more pluck he shows the more honor 
we shall gain in beating him,” said Captain 
Dacres to the officers, who crowded about 
him. Then he shouted through a trumpet to 
his crew : 

“ Men of the Guerrierey yonder is a Yankee 
ship-of-war. In forty-five minutes she will 
be ours. But take her in fifteen and you’ll 
get an extra four months’ pay.” 

A genuine British cheer greeted this — a 
cheer that was heard on board both the Spit- 
fire and the Constitution. Captain Hull’s 
eyes lighted at the sound and his gaze went 
proudly over his ship and crew. Well did he 
know what bulldogs of the sea he had to 


i8o THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


grapple with ; these were the tars who had 
scattered the fleets of Napoleon, and reduced 
the proud Spaniard to adject submission. 

“ Once at a fair, when a boy, I saw an Amer- 
ican raccoon tear an English bulldog into 
shreds. To-day I have a whole ship full of 
raccoons,” continued Hull to his first lieuten- 
ant, “ and we canT fail to gain the victory.” 

And as the gallant commander of the Con^ 
stitution well knew, it would not do for him 
to be defeated, for, so to speak, he fought with 
a halter about his neck. About a month be- 
fore, while sailing along the coast of New 
Jersey he had encountered a British fleet 
newly out of Halifax. This consisted of a 
huge ship-of-the-line Africa^ and the frigates 
Shannon^ Belvidera, Eolus and Guerri^re. 
After a desperate chase, during which Hull 
was compelled to kedge ” and tow in a calm, 
the American ship escaped and ran into Bos- 
ton harbor. The news of his desperate danger 
had reached Washington, and Hull was afraid 
that the timid naval office would not allow 
him to proceed to sea ; so after he had taken 
on fresh water, he lifted anchor and was away 
again before he received any orders. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 181 


And as matters stood, if Hull was now de- 
feated by the Guerrihrey he would unques- 
tionably be executed for sailing without 
leave. 

But defeat was the last thing that the gal- 
lant seaman thought of : his men stood to 
their guns, his flag flew over his head, and the 
good planks of his ship were stout and solid 
beneath his feet. 

Hold your Are, Mr. Morris,'' he called to 
his first lieutenant. “ I'll give the word 
when the time is ripe." 

Nearer and nearer drew the frigates. Roger, 
from the quarter-deck of the brig, saw the 
Englishman dress his ship with flags ; then 
he saw a puff of smoke roll from one of the 
forward ports, and the conflict was on. 

“ The Britisher is trying the range," said 
Mr. Taylor, who stood at Roger's side. 

He's a careful marksman, I see." 

At the next gun from the Guerriere, the 
Constitution began to shorten sail. 

There comes her canvas," cried the loud 
voice of the sailor, Starbuck, from the SjpiU 
fixers waist. He's going to strip her like a 
game-cock." 


i 82 the boy tars of 1812 


The British ship squared away and then 
wore around until her port battery was 
brought to bear and discharged it at the 
Constitution as she came down the wind ; 
instantly she wore back until her star- 
board battery could be brought into play, and 
once more her guns roared like thunder. 
Time after time the Guerriere squirmed about 
after this fashion and discharged her broad- 
sides at her foe ; but save for an occasional 
shot from a bow gun the American frigate 
made no reply. 

He^s closing in so as to bring his shorter 
guns into action, said Roger Dare, as he 
watched the two maneuvring ships with 
breathless interest. 

“ The Englishman will cripple him aloft if 
he donT look out,^' commented Mr. Taylor, 
coolly. Hull is a fine sailor, but it does not 
do to take too many risks.” 

Under the press of a maintopgallant and 
foresail newly spread, the Constitution forged 
up into close range, and the shots of the 
enemy began to take efiect. An eighteen 
pound shot tore through the bulwarks send- 
ing great jagged splinters hurtling about, and 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 183 

stretching upon the deck some of the crew of 
a forward gun. 

A cheer went up from the tars of the 
Giierrihre; but Captain Hull paced his deck, 
his lips tight shut, his eyes alert. Lieutenant 
Morris walked aft. 

Two of our men have been killed, sir ! 
Shall I open fire ? he called, imploringly. 

“ Not yet, sir,’^ returned Hull, sternly. 

When we secure the range I desire, I shall 
pass you the word.” 

The Spitfire bore away to leeward so as not 
to be in the way of the larger vessel ; then 
Roger saw the stern of the Constitution lap- 
ping the British ship’s quarter. Apparently 
this had been what Hull desired, for he 
shouted in a voice that came booming over 
the surges, 

“ Now, men ! give it to them 1 ” 

A sharp, high-pitched yell went up from 
the Yankee tars, only to be drowned in a 
broadside that made the stout ship reel. 
Shouts of agony came from the Guerri^re, 
together with the splintering of timbers. 
Again and again came the dreadful discharge 
from the Constitution ; her men worked at the 


i84 the boy tars OF 1812 

guns, loading, ramming and firing like 
smoke-blacked demons. And the British 
fought back furiously ; the ships lay almost 
yard-arm to yard-arm, blazing away at each 
other through a cloud of smoke. 

At length a twenty-four pound shot struck 
the mizzen-mast of the Guerri^rey and it 
crashed over the side. Above the roar of the 
conflict HulFs voice could be heard : 

Bravo, my lads ! You’ve made a brig of 
her ! ” 

The mast dragging in the water swung the 
British ship across the wind. The Yankee 
frigate drove ahead, then ranged across the 
enemy’s bows, raked her the length of her 
deck ; then swinging around she brought her 
other battery into play and once more raked 
the luckless Guerriere. And now the latter 
ship’s bowsprit became fouled in the Ameri- 
can’s after-rigging, and small arms began to 
rattle as the two vessels ground together in 
the swelling of the sea. 

Captain Dacres called away a boarding 
crew, but Hull assembled a party of his 
Yankee tars with pistol, cutlass and pike to 
meet him, and the attack was not made. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 185 

Then the Americans tried to board, but the 
British fought desperately and this attempt 
also failed. More canvas was then gotten upon 
the Constitution and she was torn clear of her 
enemy. When a goodly stretch of water 
showed between the ships the American 
swung round to open fire once more ; just 
then the fore and mainmasts of the Guerriere 
snapped and went trailing into the sea, leaving 
that once proud vessel a helpless hulk at the 
mercy both of her foe and the sea. 


CHAPTER XIV 


WHITE TOWERS ONCE MORE 

After the fall of the Guerriere^s two re- 
maining masts the Constitution veered off 
and made rapid repairs in her cut rigging 
and gave her surgeons an opportunity to care 
for the wounded. Then she closed in once 
more upon her enemy, who was rolling, her 
decks awash, in the trough of the sea. 

Only a half hour before had the Yankee 
frigate fired her first broadside and the result 
showed how deadly had been her aim. All 
three of the Ouerri^re^s masts trailed over the 
side by the unparted shrouds ; her hull was 
shattered above and below the water line, 
there were twenty-three dead men upon her 
decks ; and the cock-pit was crowded with 
wounded. 

Before resuming the engagement Captain 
Hull sent a boat to the wrecked frigate and 
inquired if she had struck, as there was no 
flag flying ; and Dacres replied that she had, 

i86 












.'W'^ .:^?-‘«»U'^in: 

• ' ' "■ * 


• \ 


V 

- ♦ • ♦ • 


1 4 





T ' ' • , 


;^’! *'^' 






r 


U 


..... ^ ... 


-"^.i 


-3 









i- '• _ 


^ ’ll . 3' ^ I i" - 


i^j,® 



/' *. 


•SSf»» 


rj 




!’■ I 


r . f i» — >» 


.*i 3 l< 4 » 9 








I 





V; 




r'» 




-. I 


li« 


n -T ‘ 


I * 


iV 




f. 



'■if*' ' ■»’ 











iS-Zr 





THE BOY TARS OF 1812 187 

and came on board the Constitution to give 
up his sword. 

It was then almost seven o’clock, but as the 
Guerri^re was in such a serious plight, all her 
crew and wounded were removed on board the 
American ship. In this work Roger Dare 
and his active crew lent good service and in a 
few hours the task was finished. 

At four o’clock in the morning, just as the 
rim of the sun appeared above the sky line in 
the east, the report came from the wreck that 
there were four feet of water in her hold and 
that she was sinking. She was then set on 
fire and every one left her, both the American 
ships drawing off to a safe distance. Shortly 
afterward the fire reached her well-stocked 
magazine, and the braggart Guerriere was but 
a few blackened timbers floating upon the sea. 

As the Spitfire carried some of the British 
prisoners, she accompanied the Constitution 
back to Boston. When the two vessels en- 
tered the harbor the jaunty frigate was dressed 
in bunting which fluttered and waved the 
tidings of victory to the shore. From the 
great guns of the forts came gruff coughs of 
exultation ; horsemen tore madly through the 


i88 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


city^s streets, spreading the news of victory ; 
bells rang out joyfully ; from every masthead 
the glorious old “ gridiron fluttered ; throngs 
gathered upon the piers and cheered madly. 
But when it was discovered that the Constitu- 
tion's victory had been gained over the hated 
bully of the coast, which had been for months 
stopping merchantmen and impressing Amer- 
ican seamen, the entire city became a vortex 
of bewildering enthusiasm. 

It was in the midst of this, on the first day 
of September, that the Spitfire, having been 
relieved of her prisoners, sailed southward in 
search of prizes. Five days out she fell in 
with another American privateer called the 
True Blooded Yankee, and they arranged 
to cruise together in the neighborhood of the 
British West Indies. Having received news 
of a richly laden fleet of merchantmen which 
had sailed for a Canadian port a day or two 
before, they set out in search of it. 

In the dawn of the next morning they dis- 
covered the fleet, of perhaps a dozen sail, a few 
miles away. Before the startled merchantmen 
knew what had occurred they found the Yan- 
kee privateers in the midst of them, their guns 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 189 

shotted, their men at quarters ready to attack. 
All save two of the ships were captured with- 
out any difficulty ; then they were taken into 
the port of Charleston and condemned. 

It was well into the winter when Roger 
made sail northward once more. After sharing 
the rich booty with the True Blooded Yan- 
keey he had parted company with her; so 
now as he went bowling along he made up his 
mind to see Stephen Randall at Good Ground, 
then back to Casco Bay, to see his father and 
sister, and also to refit. 

When he sighted the shores of Long Island 
a dense snow was falling ; running into the 
little bay, which was badly choked with ice, 
he fired a gun to let Stephen know of his ar- 
rival, if he had not already sighted the brig. 
The whole country, roundabout, was white 
with snow ; the old stone tower was grotesque 
and swollen with the clinging particles ; the 
roads were deep with drifts. As the Spitfire^ s 
long boat nosed its way ashore through the 
drifting ice, a voice, having that strange far-off 
effect that falling snow always causes, reached 
the ears of the brig's young master. 

“ Hello-0-0 I '' 


igo THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

Ahoy ! ’’ answered Roger, standing up in 
the stern sheets, and gazing eagerly ahead. 

A thickly muffled figure was running toward 
the water’s edge, gesturing frantically. As he 
gazed Roger made out a second figure, appar- 
ently in pursuit of the first. Both were cov- 
ered with the falling snow, and through the 
heavy veil then settling earthward they looked 
ghostly and gray. 

Hello-0-0 ! ” again sounded the voice dimly 
through the snow. 

And no sooner had the last notes died away 
when the pursuer halted, raised his arm, and 
the red flash of a pistol, followed by a snap- 
ping report, startled the occupants of the boat. 
The pursued one staggered, stumbled and then 
fell headlong into a drift ; he who had fired 
the shot stood motionless for a moment, then 
turned and raced away in the direction from 
whence he had come. 

“ Pull hard, men ! ” cried Roger Dare. The 
men bent their backs, and the long boat 
smashed through the drifts ; Roger drew his 
pistol and looked carefully at its primings ; 
when the prow touched the frozen shore he 
leaped out, and followed by the boat’s crew, 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


191 

he dashed for the spot where the stricken man 
had been seen to fall. 

But to his astonishment no one was to be 
seen ; they searched the vicinity thinking to 
find the man completely covered by the snow ; 
but to no purpose. He had vanished. 

The men stared in astonishment, and Star- 
buck, who was in the crew, said : 

“ Now shiver my hull, but here’s a go ! We 
see two crafts in the offing, one making all sail 
after the other, then one fires a broadside and 
the other goes down like a ten pound shot. 
But when we come to drag for him, he’s gone 
just as clean as the ghost of Hamlet’s father 
that the book tells about.” 

They searched all about for a half hour 
longer ; then Roger took Starbuck and Davis, 
telling the others to pull back to the brig, and 
made his way toward White Towers. The 
snow continued to fall heavily ; the roads 
were knee deep in it and the naked limbs of 
the trees were loaded until they drooped toward 
the earth. 

In a short time the young skipper of the 
Spitfire and his two followers came in sight of 
White Towers, and they paused with gasps of 


192 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


astonishment. When they had left, the sum- 
mer before, a stately building had reared its 
white walls among the trees, presenting every 
appearance of plenty and comfort. Now they 
gazed upon a bleak, cheerless semi-ruin. 
Nothing seemed to be left save the roof and 
walls ; the doors and windows were gone, even 
to the frames, and the snow drifted into the 
interior and piled up in heaps in sheltered 
corners. 

“ What does it mean ? ” exclaimed Roger as 
he gazed with wondering eyes at this sur- 
prising sight. Why, when we left, the 
troops were in charge ! ” 

That was a good six months ago, captain,’^ 
said Starbuck, with a salute. ‘‘ And many 
things can happen in that time.’^ 

They slowly approached the house. Roger 
would not have been surprised to see Stephen 
emerge from one of the gaping doorways. 
But he did not. Not a sound was heard about 
the place. They entered, and after examining 
the rooms on the first fioor they ascended the 
remains of a staircase and inspected those 
above. 

Almost all the furniture had been removed ; 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


193 


what had not, was broken and scattered about. 
Some of the walls had been stripped of the 
very last vestige of plaster ; rubbish and litter 
were everywhere. 

“ The place must have been attacked,” said 
Roger. An English vessel probably ran 
into the bay during the night, and this,” with 
a wave of the hand, is the result.” 

Davis shook his head, sadly. 

“ It was a fine old place,” said he, and I 
often used to take pleasure in looking at it 
when we put in here.” 

“ The craft has been boarded by pirates, 
keel-haul me if she ainT,” said Starbuck. 
“ The British would not stop at much, the 
swabs ! Nobody but out and out pirates would 
rake a defenseless enemy like this. And where 
is Mr. Randall ? ” 

It’s impossible to even guess,” answered 
the young captain, a vague fear at his heart. 

“ He’s been made to walk the plank, maybe,” 
suggested the sailor, as he fumbled with the 
heavy hilt of his cutlass. There is no tell- 
ing, sir.” 

Roger made his way down the stairs once 
more, and the seamen followed him. He 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


194 

stood for a long time, sadly regarding the 
once beautiful house ; suddenly Davis touched 
him upon the arm. 

“ There is some one coming, sir,'^ said the 
man. 

Roger followed the pointing finger with his 
eyes. Against the white of the snow a figure 
was moving toward them. So dense were the 
falling flakes that he could not make out even 
the general outlines of the newcomer. Re- 
calling the scene at the bay shore upon his 
landing, he loosened his pistol in his belt and 
his men did likewise. 

Nearer and nearer drew the man ; Roger 
fancied that there was a dispirited droop to 
the head and a lagging drag to the feet ; and 
as each step shortened the distance between 
them, a sense of recognition came over him. 
Then, suddenly, feeling that he was right, he 
sprang forward with hands outstretched. 

Cato ! he shouted. 

Mars’ Roger,” came the mournful answer ; 
then as their hands clasped Roger searched 
the black old face before him for news of what 
had happened. 

“ Stephen ? ” he said in a tone of breathless 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 195 

interrogation ; but the old negro shook his 
head, mournfully. 

“ I don’ know nothin’ ’tall ’bout Mars’ 
Steve,” he answered, slowly. “ ’Deed, sah, 
dis po’ old niggah don’ know nuffin’ ’bout 
nuffin’ at all.” 

What do you mean ? ” cried Roger, im- 
patiently. Did not Stephen return from his 
trip to Washington ? ” 

Oh, yas, sah. He don’ come back safe an’ 
sound. But ’bout a month ago, sah, he don’ 
disappear.” 

He disappeared ? ” cried Roger, incredu- 
lously. 

“ Sho’s yo’ bohn, sah,” declared the old 
servant. Ain’t see a sign ob him since. He 
don’ gone as quick and as complete as dough 
de earf don’ opened and swallered him.” 

But what has happened here at the 
house ? ” 

The old negro gazed sorrowfully at the 
dreary looking walls and empty windows. 

De sogers done dat, sah.” 

'' Soldiers ! Then there has been a landing 
of British troops ! ” 

“ No, sah. It wan’t Britishers. It was de 


196 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

^Nited States soldiers what come here when 
yo’ lef ’ las’ summah. Dey sta’ted searching 
fo’ somfin’, Mars’ Roger, an’ fo’ long dey had 
de whole oh White Towers looking like she 
is jes’ now.” 

Oh, I understand. But that does not 
account for Stephen, though.” 

No, sah. He was helping ’em to make a 
ruin outen de place,” indignantly, “ and 
sho’tly aftah dey don’ gone away he disap- 
peahed.” The old man shook his head from 
side to side, and there was a quaver in his 
voice. 

“ When he went away he must have left 
some sort of a message for you.” 

Not a line. When he didn’t come back 
dat night I was s’prised, sah, but when he did 
not show he’se’f at all I was jest flabbergasted. 
’Tain’t like Mars’ Steve to do a flng like dat, 
sah ; no indeed, it ain’t a bit like him.” 

Roger was as much astonished and dumb- 
founded as the ancient servant ; he could not 
understand it ; as Cato had said it was entirely’’ 
unlike Stephen to do anything of this sort. 
There was one thing uppermost in his mind 
when he turned to the old man and said : 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


197 

Do you think anything has happened to 
him?’' 

“ Does yo’ mean an accident, sah ? ” 

That, or anything else.” 

Cato slapped his chest and arms to rid him- 
self of the snow that clung to him ; then he 
came nearer to Roger and said in a hushed 
voice, with many frightened glances about, 

“ Dey’s mighty queah fings going on around 
heah. Mars’ Roger ; mighty queah fings. 
Dey’s killin’ goin' on, sah ! ” 

Once more Roger’s thoughts went to the 
scene which he had witnessed upon the shore ; 
he felt an icy thrill go through his blood, 
and a sense of dread crept over him. 

“ Killing, Cato ! Tell me what you mean.” 

I means jest what I says, Mars’ Roger. 
Dey’s strange doin’s ’bout White Towers ; fo’ 
since de sogers and Mars’ Steve don’ lef ’, de 
man what once lived at de old stone tower 
hab come back.” 

Ravenac ! ” 

Yes, sah, dat’s de man. An’ he fetched 
de odders wif him, Mars’ Roger, de red skin,” 
lowering his voice to an awed whisper, and 
de man wif one arm.” 


198 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

But why have you not warned the country- 
side of the presence of these men ? They are 
enemies to the nation and should be taken 
and imprisoned.’^ 

I don’ told all ’bout dem, sah, jest as soon 
as I found out dat dey was heah. De fahmahs 
hunted dem fo’ free days and nights wif dogs 
and guns, but could not cotch dem. And 
den dey say dat I am an old fool niggah, and 
dat de}^ ain’t nobody heah at all. But de}^ 
is, Mars’ Roger,” with eager energy. I sees 
dey feet marks sometimes in de snow ; and 
mo’ den once I see blood stains, as well.” 

A shiver crept over Roger ; and the two 
seamen, who had been listening to all this, 
shook their heads and muttered under their 
breaths. 

Blood stains ! ” exclaimed the young skip- 
per of the Spitfire as he clutched the old 
man’s arm with powerful grip. He was about 
to proceed, but his words were interrupted by 
an echoing gun shot, followed by a yell 
behind them. From behind a low wall, almost 
buried in a snow-drift leaped a man, his hands 
clawing at his chest, then he spun around like 
a top, fell upon his face and lay still. 


CHAPTER XV 


THE MAN WITH ONE ARM 

The two seamen leaped toward the spot 
where the man lay ; Roger shielded his eyes 
against the falling flakes and strove to make 
out who fired the shot. But it had come from 
among the snow laden trees, and the marks- 
man was invisible. 

However, drawing his pistol, Roger sprang 
away through the drifts toward the spot from 
whence the shot had sounded. It was slow 
going, for at places he sank up to his waist ; 
and his exertions were unrewarded, for he 
found nothing, not even a footprint. He re- 
turned to his men, and found them silently 
regarding the fallen man. 

How is he ? ” asked the lad. 

Dead, sir,” said Starbuck, touching his 
cap. The shot took him full in the back, 
sir ; and I don’t believe he ever moved after 
he fell.” 

Roger gazed at the dead man ; the sailors 
199 


200 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


had turned him over and a clear view of his 
face was to be had. He was a thick set, 
bearded fellow, dressed like a sailor and with 
small gold rings in his ears. 

Do you know him ? Roger asked of Cato. 
But the old negro shook his head. 

No, sah, nebber seed him befo'. But he’s 
one ob dem, I ’spects.” 

“ One of whom ? ” Roger gazed at the 
speaker sharply. 

“ One of dose villains dat dat man Ravenac 
done got wid him.” 

“ Oh,” said Roger, then there are more 
than the original three.” 

Oh, glory ! yes, sah ! Dey must be a half 
dozen mo’ ob dem. I’s suah ob dat f ’om de 
footprints in de house, and on de lawn heah.” 
He shook his head, puzzled and mournful as 
one who has given up all hope. But it’s too 
much fo’ an old niggah to und’stan’. Mars’ 
Roger. Dey all don’ come heah togeddah, and 
now dey’s trying to kill each oddah.” 

Strange ! ” said Roger. His brows were 
gathered in a frown and he gazed brood in gly 
at the dead face before him. It is something 
of a puzzle, Cato ; but depend upon it, we’ll be 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 201 

at the bottom of it before the Spitfire leaves 
the bay.’’ 

The old man’s face grew brighter. Roger 
Dare had always inspired him with confidence ; 
and he said : 

If yo’ says yo’ll do it, Mars’ Roger, it’s jest 
as good as done, sah.” 

Roger smiled, and patted the faithful serv- 
ant upon the shoulder. 

But come inside, Cato ; it’s as cold as it 
well can be out here. We’ll sit by a warm 
fire, and then you can tell me all. Come 
along, men.” 

He started toward White Towers, but Cato 
laid a detaining hand upon his arm. 

Dis way, sah, if yo’ please,” said he, point- 
ing in the direction whence he had come. 

Dey is no paht ob de old house dat’s fit to 
lib in now ; and since Mars’ Steve’s gone I libs 
at de little house down by de crick.” 

Roger had not altogether realized the con- 
dition of ruin to which the fine old house had 
been reduced until he heard these words. 
But he made no reply, following the old 
negro in silence, the two seamen remaining 
behind long enough to temporarily cover the 


202 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


body with snow. The house that Cato oc- 
cupied had once been the dwelling of the 
gardener, and stood no great distance from the 
great house, upon the banks of a small creek, 
now tightly frozen. 

The apartment into which Roger was led 
was furnished with some of the things taken 
from the dismantled mansion ; a cheery fire 
was burning in an open grate, a big chair was 
drawn up near to it, and some books lay upon 
a table near at hand. 

Roger looked at these and recognized them 
immediately as great favorites of Stephen's. 

“ One would think that Steve had just 
stepped out of the room for a few moments,^^ 
said the young sailor. “ Everything is just 
as he would have it were he here.^^ 

Old Cato looked deeply gratified. 

'' Mars’ Roger,” said he, and there was a 
tremble in his voice, I’se mighty glad to 
heah yo’ say dat, sah ; ’deed I is ! I tried to 
keep dis yeah room looking jest dat way. 
’Case, sah, I finks dat maybe Mars’ Steve will 
done come home befo’ long, and I wants it to 
seem as much like home as I can.” 

Cato,” spoke Roger, you are a good. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 203 

faithful old fellow, and Steve is lucky to have 
such a one to look after his affairs here at 
home — for I suppose this would be his home 
if he came/^ 

“ 'Deed he would, sah ; he’d lib heah in dis 
cottage till de Towers was don’ fixed up again, 
dough it am not de right kin’ oh a place fo’ a 
real young gem’man lak Mars’ Steve.” 

Roger seated himself in the big chair and 
warmed himself at the fire of pine logs that 
roared and crackled up the chimney ; Star- 
buck and Davis had come in and were now 
in the kitchen enjoying the warmth of a 
second fire. Cato stood near Roger, anxious 
and grave faced. 

Sit down,” said Roger, but first draw 
your chair up near the fire.” 

In jest a minute. Mars’ Roger,” said the 
old servant hastily. I’ll get yo’ and de 
sailor men a cup oh tea ; it’s pow’ful cold, sah, 
and dis niggah knows yo’s chilled fro.” 

Despite Roger’s protests he insisted in brew- 
ing a steaming pot of tea for Roger and one 
for the seamen in the kitchen ; then he placed 
plates of warmed biscuits before them. When 
all was done, and Roger sat sipping his tea 


204 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


and nibbling at the biscuits, Cato consented 
to seat himself at the fire and tell his story. 

The soldiers sent from Washington had 
remained no great while at White Towers. 
Two officials of the war office had arrived a 
few days later, and when Stephen returned 
from his interview with the Secretary of War 
the mansion was almost denuded. Cato had 
protested with tears in his eyes ; and imagine 
his astonishment when Stephen, upon his 
arrival, instead of putting a stop to it all, 
rather assisted in it. When everything had 
been searched dozens of times the soldiers were 
called away ; the war office had finally made 
up its official mind that the mansion con- 
tained nothing of importance to the nation. 

Upon their departure Cato had fancied that 
their troubles were about over ; but almost 
immediately afterward Stephen disappeared, 
and he was left alone upon the great estate, a 
prey to all sorts of evil forebodings. 

“ And then Ravenac came with his men,” 
said Roger, as he stared into the deep, red 
heart of the fire and rubbed his palms together 
thoughtfully. 

No, sah, not Ravenac.” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 205 

Roger looked up at the old negro question- 
ingly. 

Ravenac he come second, sah. De man 
wif one arm, he come first ; and he hab 
powTul bad people wif him. Mars’ Roger. 
And den a little while afterward Ravenac 
came and bring dat Injun and some odders. 
And no sooner do dey come den I begans to 
see lights flarin’ in White Towers in de dead 
oh de night ; and sometimes I heahs feet run- 
ning down de roads when I sits heah and 
ebberyflng else is still. Den, sah, maybe dey’s 
a shot, and somebody screams ; and den all is 
still once mo’.” 

What do you make of all this? ” 

I dunno, sah ; dey’s fighting ’tween dey- 
selves ’bout somefing, I suppose.” 

And you say that sometimes you have 
seen blood stains? ” , 

** Yes, sah, in de snow. And once I saw 
some in de library ob de big house. Mars’ 
Roger ; it was a great splotchy fing by de do’ 
and went trailing out at a window and ’cross 
de lawn toward de trees. It was in de early 
morning dat I see dat, and I tells yo’, sah, dis 
po’ old black man was most pow’ful scared ! ” 


2o6 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


During the entire afternoon Roger sat talk- 
ing to the old servant and learning all that he 
knew of what had happened during the ab- 
sence of the Spitfire. As evening drew on 
the lad sent his two men back to the brig 
with instructions to say to Mr. Taylor that 
he was not coming aboard until morning. 

Old Cato cooked his supper with much 
care at the great kitchen fireplace ; then he 
laid a snowy cloth upon the table at Roger's 
elbow, placed a delicate china and silver serv- 
ice upon it, and stood behind his chair at- 
tentively while he ate. 

The evening was succeeded by night; the 
snow still fell hdSvily ; the wind moaned 
among the trees and about the corners of the 
house, driving the falling snow before it and 
heaping it in huge drifts against the walls and 
in fence corners. When the old clock upon 
the mantel struck the hour of twelve, Cato 
climbed to his bed in a sort of loft over the 
kitchen, and Roger was left alone. 

The boy threw some more pine logs upon 
the fire and sat watching them crackle and 
blaze in moody meditation. He was in no 
humor for sleep ; the news that he had heard, 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


207 

the moaning of the storm and the stillness of 
everything else caused queer fancies to flit 
through his mind. Somehow he could not 
take his thoughts from the foreign looking 
man who lay beneath the snow before White 
Towers. His imagination conjured up the 
soft flakes as they fell and drifted and eddied 
about the dead man^s shallow grave. 

The thought came to him that perhaps his 
friend Stephen was lying under the white 
drifts somewhere ; perhaps he had lost his life 
as had this stranger by a shot from cover. 
Roger sprang to his feet with a cry. 

No, no ! he said, “ I must not think of 
such things I Steve is all right ! He is off 
upon the scent of something, and perhaps has 
not had a chance to send Cato any word.^’ 

He paced up and down much disturbed. . 
There came a sudden gust of wind that made 
the windows rattle and a dash of sleet came^ 
against the glass. 

“ It^s getting colder,’^ he said to himself. 

The flakes are changing to sleet. 

Once more the icy particles pattered against 
the panes ; and again the wind howled dole- 
fully. The iron-like branches of trees nearby 


2o8 the boy tars of 1812 


bowed beneath their snowy weights and 
creaked in the blast. But amid it all a strange 
undertone reached the ears of the young- 
master of the Spitfire^ a quavering staccato 
that could only be a human voice. The boy 
bent his head, listening intently ; yes, there it 
came again — a gasping and sobbing sound, 
now, that wheezed, and rose, and fell in the 
intervals when the wind ceased from moaning. 

What can it be?’’ breathed Roger, his hand 
going instinctively to his pistol. It is a 
man’s voice, and he seems to be in distress.” 

Then came an entirely different sound. It 
was also a human voice, but it was loud and 
harsh and threatening. There was a short 
pause ; the wind wailed mournfully and above 
it rose a sharp scream of pain. 

Roger plucked his pistol from his belt and 
leaped toward the door ; but with his hand 
upon the latch he paused. The unmistakable 
“ swish, swish ” of a person forcing his way 
through the deep drifts toward the house 
reached his ears ; so he fell back, warily, his 
pistol cocked and ready in one hand, his other 
reaching out to snuff the pair of guttering 
candles. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 209 

The light dimmed and then flared up as a 
knock sounded upon the door — a sharp, as- 
sured knock that instantly informed the young 
sailor that the newcomer was a man of resolu- 
tion, came he for good or ill. Roger's heart 
leaped, and his blood thrilled at the sound ; 
it was as a challenge ; and instantly he cried 
out : 

Come in ! " 

The latch lifted and the door swung in- 
ward ; a blast of wind and snow whirled into 
the room, extinguishing the candles and 
sweeping up the great chimney with a roar. 
The blaze of the burning pine logs leaped and 
danced, and the ruddy glare from them fell 
upon the man who stood in the doorway. 
There were particles of ice mingled with his 
thick dark hair and his shoulders and hat rim 
were thick with snow ; as he turned to close 
the door behind him his long cloak slipped 
from his shoulders and Roger saw that his 
left sleeve was empty. 

It was the man with one arm ! 


CHAPTER XVI 


FACE TO FACE 

When the one-armed man turned, facing 
Roger, they gazed for a moment into each 
other^s eyes. 

‘‘ The night,'' said the man, composedly, 
“ is a wild one." 

I agree with you," answered Roger, not a 
whit behind him in coolness ; and on such 
a night no honest man should be abroad." 

“ Truly spoken ; and more especially no 
honest wounded man." 

The tone in which this was said made 
Roger regard the man still more sharply, if 
that were possible. 

“ What do you mean ? " said he. 

There is a friend of mine outside there," 
answered the one-armed man, “ and I fancy 
that he is in need of some attention." 

Roger suspected some trap. He paused be- 
fore answering. 

'' Bring him in," said he, at length. 

210 



SUSPECTED SOME TRAP 








H 


•"•i j; i 


•H* 


5?sW*S „ . ., 


-./’V. 

F 4 V,-.-- - 

>j'~r.\ 








A 


♦ . 


•Urt 


i»« 


. « 


,>f- Vv * ’ *fc’ * * * 

' !!'?,'>. ■' ■ •- 








V - v'^ 


»' ■’ » 












- *5 _ V 

^ ■ , 



k llj't « 

'%i. ■ *. * ’‘™»T 



r - ^ ' / 

1 I 


•« 




9** 


‘k: -^'t 










K,7 7^ 7 

cti 1 ‘'*ri 

" . A . A ' 1 


nsT'lf 



• 4 


* .^'•.*'r‘-- - » 

V -| 1 ♦ » . 

W fH'.' 

Ti l ■ 

' . •* 


ft-' 



■ *' t- ''■ ‘^'• 

V'- .^■■'’v f 

__ ' A ■# . sv ^ Ifr' 

WIti-L c ^ »■ 


- 4 ? .• 


>1 


* e- 'J 


• •; 





4 ^ ♦ 

v'. 


■*'.‘v 




-k 








■ Ml jf:,!, 


► I • "^ ' • * V ft*' • '.^ 




*.v\ ■-. 


V.. 



Wv 







»•• i’'l» - .•'•'■ 






p f 




v. 







THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


21 1 


I fear that he is unable to walk. If you 
would be so good as to lend me your aid we 

could manage him. As you see ” and he 

tapped his empty sleeve significantly without 
finishing the sentence. 

Roger stood looking at the man with un- 
concealed suspicion in his face. Then he 
thrust his pistol into his belt in such a fash- 
ion as would render it immediately available. 

^*Very well/’ said he. “I will help you 
bring him in.” 

The man laughed. There were deep, hard 
lines about his mouth and under his eyes 
that showed at their worst at such times, and 
gave him an ill favored look. 

“ You intend leaving little to chance,” said 
he, dryly. 

“ On the contrary,” answered Roger, I am 
leaving a great deal to chance. The doings 
of yourself and friends have reached my ears ; 
how do I know that when I step across yonder 
threshold that I will not be shot down in my 
tracks ? ” 

The man looked at the lad thoughtfully ; 
then he said : 

“ You are quite right.” 


212 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


However/’ went on Roger, boldly, if 
there is a wounded man out there in the 
storm, I will take the risk. Lead the way.” 

The man laughed once more ; it was a 
short, harsh sound with little mirth in it, but 
quite a note of admiration. 

You have courage,” he remarked ; then 
he threw open the door, bent his head to the 
blast, and stepped out into the night. 

Roger Dare was at his heels, his cocked 
pistol held ready, his eyes striving to pene- 
trate the darkness, and the veil of whirling 
sleet. But he could see little ; the leaping of 
the log fire within threw a track of rose col- 
ored light across the snow, and directly in the 
path of this lay a man. 

The one-armed man paused as he reached 
the wounded one. 

If you will take his shoulders,” said he to 
Roger, “ I will take his feet. He cannot walk, 
and I had a difficult job in getting him this 
far.” 

Without a word Roger stooped and raised 
the man, the other assisting as well as his 
crippled condition permitted ; then together 
they bore him into the house. After he had 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


213 

been made comfortable, Roger watched the 
one-armed man as he deftly cut away the 
clothing of his friend, and coolly examined a 
gunshot wound in his side. The injured one 
groaned and complained constantly but the 
operator paid not the slightest heed to him. 

Rather a nasty affair,'' said he, at length, 
to Roger. 

Yes," agreed the boy ; “ and it has bled a 
great deal. He must be very weak." 

He was not able to put one foot before the 
other. I had to drag him through the snow 
all the way from " 

He paused suddenly ; his eyes flashed the 
boy a searching look, then he turned and be- 
gan dressing the wound and bandaging it up. 
Roger helped him in this, and noted with 
surprise that the man carried all the necessary 
things for the work in a small bag strapped to 
his belt. 

‘‘You seem to be prepared for these little 
emergencies," said the boy, after the work was 
finished, and the wounded man was resting 
near the fire and seemingly disposed to sleep. 

“ I am seldom unprepared for anything," 
said the one-armed man. He stood with his 


214 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


back to the fire, enjoying the warmth ; his 
sharp, narrow eyes never left the face of the 
boy for an instant. 

The wound that your friend carries was 
recently inflicted, I notice,’^ said Roger, seat- 
ing himself astride a chair, his arms resting 
upon its back, giving the man look for look. 

“ Ah ! you have some familiarity with gun- 
shot wounds.’’ 

“ A very little,” answered the boy, calmly. 
“ But that is not altogether the point which I 
should like to discuss with you.” 

“ No? ” inquiringly. 

No. I have only been hereabouts for a 
few hours, and in that time I have heard two 
shots fired ; the first struck down a man whom 
I could not afterward find, the second killed 
another who is now buried out there in the 
snow.” 

Well ? ” said the man with one arm, 
quietly. 

Roger noted that he was in no way flut- 
tered ; indeed his voice was as steady, his 
manner as composed as it would be were he 
discovered engaged in some less mysterious 
occupation. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 215 

As I said a very few minutes ago/’ said 
Roger, '' the doings of your friend Ra venae 
and yourself have been told me.” His fingers 
drummed lightly upon the back of the chair 
as he spoke, and his steady eyes fixed them- 
selves upon the man’s face. “ It is my opin- 
ion that these strange pursuits in the night, 
the deadly shots from cover, require some ex- 
planation.” 

“ And suppose,” asked the other, ‘‘ I do not 
choose to explain ? ” 

I don’t suppose that your determination, 
one way or another, will affect me in the 
least,” answered the boy. There is no doubt 
in my mind but that you are engaged in a 
matter calculated to injure this nation ; and 
that being the case I feel it my duty to 
hand you over to those who can deal with 
you.” 

The man with the one arm threw back his 
head and laughed. 

Do you hear that, Morly ? ” he cried, turn- 
ing to the wounded man. But the latter was 
asleep ; then the one-armed man gave his at- 
tention to Roger once more. 

'' I fancy,” said he, '' that the authorities 


2i6 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


would be somewhat astonished were you to 
bring me to them, a prisoner.” 

“ And pleased, too, I have no doubt. And 
I propose to afford them both the astonish- 
ment and the pleasure as soon as morning 
dawns. But, in the meantime, sit down and 
make yourself as comfortable as possible, and 
tell me the meaning of this secret warfare 
that seems to be going on between Monsieur 
Ravenac and yourself.” 

The old negro is sharper than I gave him 
credit for,” said the man, as he seated himself 
in the big chair near the fire. Our little 
affairs have been conducted so quietly that I 
had not supposed any one had noticed them.” 

The one of this afternoon was not very 
secret. What became of the man who was 
pursued and shot upon the bay shore?” 

The one-armed man smiled and waved his 
hand toward his wounded comrade. Roger 
nodded his head. I rather expected that,” 
said he. “I judged that he was hit by the 
way he fell.” 

“ But not so badly but that he was able to 
conceal himself in an old drain until you and 
your men had gone,” spoke the other. And 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


217 

after I had settled the account with the man 
who wounded him I hunted him up, and 
after struggling for hours through the snow, 
managed to get him here/’ 

You settled the account with the man 
who wounded him,” repeated Roger, slowly. 
Then he pointed to the window. “ And that 
is he, out there, I suppose.” 

You are right.” 

“ You shot him down in cold blood ! ” ex- 
claimed the lad in horror. 

The man smiled once more ; the firelight 
played fitfully upon the deep, hard lines 
about his mouth and eyes ; his expression, as 
he gazed at Roger, was a curious one. 

“ If I had not done so,” said he, you 
would not be alive at this moment.” 

Roger stared, but said nothing. 

His rifle,” continued the man, was poked 
across the top of that all but buried wall and 
he was drawing a bead upon you when I 
fired.” 

^^Ah!” 

‘‘You are surprised, I see.” 

“ Not that that man,” and Roger motioned 
toward the window against which the driving 


2 i 8 the boy tars of 1812 


sleet was rattling, should fire at me, but 
that you should think it worth your while to 
save me.” 

The man leaned back in his chair and re- 
garded the lad steadily. 

I knew you to be Roger Dare of the brig 
Spitfirej'' said he. “And I was told to give 
an eye to you if you returned here.” 

Roger leaned forward, astounded as he ex- 
claimed : 

“ By whom ? ” 

“ By Stephen Randall, before he went 
south.” 

For a moment there was silence. Roger’s 
brain surged with conflicting thoughts. The 
thing seemed impossible ; yet there was some- 
thing in the man’s face that seemed to com- 
pel belief. 

“ This is a difficult thing to credit,” said 
he, slowly, after a space. 

“ I am aware of that,” returned the other, 
speaking quietly ; “ and as I had little hope 
of convincing you that I spoke the truth, I 
did not tell you this at the start.” 

“ You say that Stephen Randall has gone 
south.” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


219 


Yes.” 

And why ? ” 

“ To search for a man named Mayhew.” 

“ Hah ! ” Roger’s eyes narrowed warily ; 
he felt that here he was upon unknown 
ground and must be careful. The other 
noticed this, and smiled. 

“I see,” said he, “that to secure even a 
small part of your confidence, I must tell you 
everything.” 

“Yes,” said Roger, “and you must tell it 
very plainly.” 

“ I intend to do so. And I will begin by 
informing you that I am an officer in the 
secret service of the War Department, and that 
I am here upon the business of that depart- 
ment. See,” and he drew out a paper which 
he handed to the astonished lad, “ here is the 
proof of what I say.” 

The document was signed by the secretary 
of war and directed one Parker Mason to take 
whatever steps he thought necessary in the 
recovery of the missing cipher of the late 
Colonel Randall. Roger returned the paper. 

“ And you are Parker Mason ? ” he inquired. 

“ I am.” 


220 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


“ Your part in this matter is not altogether 
clear to me/’ proceeded the lad. I cannot 
quite reconcile your actions with what you 
pretend to be.” 

“ Let me relate the entire story ; then you 
will not find it so hard to credit what I have 
already told you.” 

The man paused for a moment to collect his 
thoughts ; and then proceeded. 

When it was first learned that Colonel 
Randall had left behind a copy of his cipher 
key to the coast defenses, I was at once ac- 
quainted with the matter and told to go ahead 
and do what I could to find the hidden paper. 
I was making ready to come to White Towers 
to search the place when I was approached by 
the man Ravenac. I had long known him as a 
man who had more than once sold govern- 
ment secrets to the British and had carefully 
cultivated his acquaintance. Of course he did 
not know the truth about me ; indeed, he 
fancied that I was of the same stamp as him- 
self. 

“It was in this manner that Washington 
was advised of the knowledge that the British 
minister had in the matter of the cipher. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


221 


Ravenac had been engaged by the Marquis of 
Glastonbury because he professed to know 
where the cipher was concealed, and I was at 
once taken up by the Frenchman to render 
him assistance in case he should need any. 
Well, we came here, and what followed you 
know as well as I. On the night of the attack 
upon White Towers I neglected to follow Glas- 
tonbury and Ravenac on board the British 
frigate in the bay, and at once came under 
suspicion. I was of no further use as a spy 
upon them, and so came here as a sort of 
guard, with a half dozen men, as soon as the 
soldiers were withdrawn.” 

To guard against what? ’’ asked Roger. 

Against that which occurred at once,” re- 
turned the man with one arm. Ravenac im- 
mediately returned, and there began, as you 
have called it, I think, a kind of secret war- 
fare. It was my intention to allow him a free 
run of the mansion, and to take advantage of 
his professed knowledge of its secret places.” 

In other words, you were perfectly willing 
that he should find the cipher, so that you 
might seize upon it.” 

Exactly. And so he came to understand 


222 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


the situation. The men whom Ravenac has 
with him are mostly foreigners, and a mur- 
derous lot they are. Time and again have I 
and my men been set upon by them. The in- 
cident of this afternoon upon the shore of the 
bay is a case in kind. I saw your brig about 
to enter the bay and called to one of my men 
to find out if it were you or no. He was 
hardly out of my sight when I heard his cry 
and afterward the shot. I climbed a tree to 
take an observation,^’ as he spoke the man 
held out one leg and Roger saw that he was 
armed with climbing irons ; “ and it was from 
that vantage that I saw the attempt made upon 
you, and picked the assassin off.” 

You were in a tree top, then ! ” exclaimed 
the boy ; “ I never thought to look there.” 

‘‘ So I observed,” smiled the man with one 
arm ; ‘‘ and the drifts effectually covered my 
footprints, so there was no danger from that 
source either.” 

Roger sat in silence for some time ponder- 
ing over what he had just heard. The man 
seemed sincere, but there was a lurking 
doubt in the young sailor’s mind ; at last he 
asked : 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 223 

How did Stephen Randall come to go 
south in search of the man Mayhew at this 
time?’’ 

“ I knew, from information supplied me by 
the War Department, that Mayhew was some- 
where upon the coast looking to the defenses 
of the southern cities.” 

“ Who and what is Mayhew ? ” 

“ He is a lieutenant of artillery, and was 
once secretary to Colonel Randall.” 

“ Ah ! ” A rush of understanding seemed 
to sweep over Roger. And it was you who 
told Stephen that Mayhew was to be found 
upon the south coast.” 

It was. And he started for Mobile as soon 
as he received the information.” Roger said 
nothing, but sat looking at the speaker fix- 
edly. The man also maintained a silence for 
a few moments. Then he said : 

It is easily seen that you distrust me — 
that you doubt every word that I have said. 
But I think I can convince you in the end 
that I speak the truth. From some words 
dropped by Ra venae in your hearing upon 
the night of the attack upon White Towers, 
.young Stephen Randall fancies that Lieu- 


224 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

tenant Mayhew has some knowledge of the 
whereabouts of the cipher key/^ 

The man bent forward in his chair. Does 
it not show that I, at least, had the confidence 
of Stephen Randall for him to tell me of 
what Ravenac cried out that night in his dis- 
appointment.^' 

“Yes,” admitted Roger, slowly. 

The man seemed pleased at this candid 
answer and said : 

“ I am glad to hear you say that. It shows 
that you are at least inclined to admit that I 
might be speaking the truth. And I am. I 
am Parker Mason, and am employed by the 
government to ” 

He never completed the sentence, for there 
came a heavy report, the smash of glass at a 
window and a bullet flattened itself against 
the stonework of the fireplace. A harsh 
voice cried out : 

“ Then, take that ! ” 

With a spring Roger had thrown open the 
door, pistol in hand, and leaped out into the 
night. Another report rang out as he fired 
at the dim figure bounding away amid the 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 225 

whirling snow. But owing to the darkness 
the ball went wide. 

It was the voice of Ravenac, himself/’ 
said the one-armed man, coolly. He now 
stood at the lad’s side, also with a pistol in 
his hand, and continued : “ But he missed his 
aim.” 

He did more than that,” said Roger as 
they went in and closed the door. 

“ Indeed.” 

“ He has convinced me by that shot that 
you are what you say you are,” said the 
young captain of the SpitfirCy as he held out 
his hand, frankly. The other grasped it, 
smilingly. 

Then,” said he, it was a most timely 
shot.” 


CHAPTER XVII 


THE MARQUIS BRINGS A PRISONER 

The shot fired through the window at the 
one-armed man was proof conclusive to Roger 
that he was all that he claimed to be ; and if 
anything were lacking, the exclamation of 
Ravenac upon firing the shot supplied it. 

So, his suspicions having vanished, Roger 
sat down with the man at the blazing 
fire and exchanged experiences with him. 
The logs crackled and threw out a cheerful 
glow about the room ; without the wind con- 
tinued to wail shrilly through the darkness 
and to dash the gusts of sleet against the 
window panes. Now and then the wounded 
man groaned and stirred uneasily in his 
sleep. 

As they continued to talk they heard a 
creaking of the stairs, and old Cato stood be- 
fore them, a night-cap upon his head and an 
expression of alarm upon his face. Upon the 
firing of the shot he had rushed down ; but 
upon Roger's assuring him that all was well, 

226 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 227 

the old servant had gone back to his bed, 
though not without many a backward glance 
at the one-armed man and his wounded com- 
rade. Now his voice had a quaver of com- 
plaint in it. 

“ Mars^ Roger,'’ said he, dar’s queer doings 
about dis yeah house to-night.” 

Roger knew from the old man’s expression 
that something new had happened. 

What now, Cato ? ” he asked, quietly. 

Fust dar is two men bored fro’ and fro’ ; 
den we hab dat French willyun shooting 
fro’ de window ; and now deah is a man out- 
side in de snow wif a light.” 

The secret service man arose quickly to his 
feet. 

“ A light ! ” he exclaimed. 

Yes, sah — a red light — and he is carryin’ 
on mighty queer wif it.” 

One moment,” said the one-armed man, 
hastily. 

He crossed to the door with a few rapid 
steps and threw it open ; then placing his 
fingers to his lips he emitted a peculiar 
whistle. Instantly the signal was answered 
from without. A few moments later a man, 


228 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


white with snow and with tiny icicles hang- 
ing from his hair and beard, appeared at the 
doorway. 

“Ah, is it you. Barker?” said the one- 
armed man. “ Come in.” 

The man entered, and closed the door ; he 
stood beating the heavy snow from his shoul- 
ders and hat, and eyeing Roger and Cato 
sharply. Then he advanced to the fireplace 
and stretched his hands out to the blaze. 

“ A vessel has just entered the bay,” he said 
briefly. 

“ A vessel ! ” Roger’s expression was one 
of vital interest as he uttered the words. 
“ What sort of a vessel ? ” 

“ A small sloop such as the farmers here- 
abouts use to take their crops to New York 
and other places.” 

“ What is there so remarkable about that, 
that you should think it worth your while to 
come here and report it ? ” 

“ The people upon the sloop are British,” 
said the man, stolidly. “ They came close 
under the north shore to escape the wind, and 
I was enabled to make my way out to them on 
the ice.” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


229 


Are you sure they are British ? 

Positive. I was within ten yards of 
their stern at one time, and heard quite a 
conversation between two of those in charge. 
They are here upon some urgent business that 
must be transacted to-night.” 

Roger arose to his feet. 

I think,” said he, that I should be 
aboard my brig; perhaps the errand of the 
sloop in the bay at this time is to attempt her 
capture.” 

“You may be correct,” said the secret serv- 
ice man. Then after a pause during which 
he watched Roger pull on his heavy pilot 
jacket, he added : “ Have you any objection 
to our accompanying you ? ” 

“ None in the world,” answered the young 
sailor. “ Indeed,” with a smile, “ you may 
prove useful, as none of my lads are at 
hand.” 

Telling Cato that he would return as soon 
as possible, Roger stepped out into the dark- 
ness and storm with the two men at his heels. 
The old black servant called something to 
him in the nature of a warning ; but it was 
lost in the heavy drive of the wind ; then 


230 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


the door closed upon them, and they fronted 
the stinging sleet with bent heads, making the 
best speed possible toward the bay shore. 

As they were about passing White Towers, 
which stood shrouded in ghostly snow and 
looming oddly through the stornl, Roger’s 
keen eyes caught a movement among the 
high-heaped drifts. 

Sh-h-h,” he breathed, warningly to his 
companions. Immediately they halted — then 
stood motionless, watching a dark, indistinct 
figure as it moved slowly along, now plainly 
seen against the white background. Then 
Roger crept forward softly, with the others 
following closely behind. At length the 
skulking figure ahead paused before the 
wrecked old mansion ; and as Roger noise- 
lessly advanced he was astonished to note 
that the attitude was one of sorrow ; it was a 
tall, youthful figure ; the head was bent, the 
hands were stuffed deep into the pockets of a 
rough seaman^s coat. 

Suddenly Roger stepped into a snow-filled 
hollow which caused him to lose his balance ; 
the scrambling he made in the soft drift caused 
the stranger to whirl about and leap upon 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 231 

him. Immediately the two secret service men 
sprang to the young sailor’s aid, and with 
that the stranger whipped out a pistol and 
cried : 

Keep your distance, or it will be the worse 
for you.’’ 

At sound of the voice Roger bounded to 
his feet. 

Steve ! ” he almost shouted. 

Roger ! ” came the answering cry, and in 
another instant the two friends were grip- 
ping each other by the hand. When their 
surprise had worn off and their fragmentary 
greetings had been exhausted, Roger said : 

“ And, tell me, Steve, how did you get 
here, and at this time above all others ? ” 

I sailed north in a clipper ship which left 
Charleston some few weeks ago. The cap- 
tain agreed to set me ashore here as he passed 
on his way to New York. But because of 
some strange sails he grew nervous and re- 
fused to keep his word ; the best he would do 
was to sell me a boat, which I came ashore 
in.” 

“ In all this storm ? ” 

** It was a desperata chance,” said Stephen 


232 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


Randall, “but my business would not stand 
delay, so I took it.’^ 

There was a deep note in Stephen’s voice 
that surprised Roger, as the strong grip of his 
hand had a few moments before. Apparently 
Stephen had developed a good deal during 
his hunt in the South. He had grown 
stronger, and less nervous and fearful than 
he had been when the young seaman had 
seen him last. 

“ What business have you here so urgent as 
all that?” asked Roger, while Stephen was 
shaking hands with Mason, whom he now 
recognized. 

“ To save the hidden cipher,” returned 
Stephen, quietly. 

“ Ah ! ” and Roger peered into his friend’s 
face through the gloom and the whirling 
snow. “ You have some new information of 
importance, I see.” 

“ I have. And the Marquis of Glaston- 
bury figures in it, as he did before. Roger,” 
Stephen spoke with sudden vehemence, “ that 
man is a demon ! ” 

“ Not quite,” returned the young master of 
the Spitfire coolly, “ but almost.” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


233 

'' He must be altogether so, for he can 
somehow acquire information that would be 
impossible to any other man.” 

The British system of spies is very com- 
plete,” spoke the secret service man. 

It must be,” answered Stephen, “ for May- 
hew^s presence upon the Dauntless was known 
to few and ” 

“ Mayhew I cried Roger and the others in 
a breath. 

“ That^s so,” said Stephen, “ I had forgotten 
that you did not know. After a hunt along 
the entire southern seaboard I received news 
only a few weeks ago that Lieutenant May- 
hew was at Charleston for the purpose of 
establishing new batteries in some of the 
lower forts. I immediately started from Mo- 
bile, where I was when this news reached me. 
But when I arrived, Mayhew had just gone 
down the coast in the gunboat Dauntless to 
inspect a site for a new defense. I engaged a 
small vessel and made sail after him ; next 
day I sighted the gunboat just as she was 
being attacked by a small British vessel, 
which, strange to relate, after taking the 


234 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


Dauntless by boarding, almost immediately 
drew off, and sailed away. 

When I boarded the American vessel I 
found her single gun spiked and her officers 
in a state of amazement. This latter was 
occasioned by the fact that Lieutenant Mayhew 
had been taken out of the vessel, and no one 
else ; I was as much puzzled as they until I 
heard that the British sloop was commanded 
by our old acquaintance the Marquis of Glas- 
tonbury. There could only be one explana- 
tion to his proceedings, and that was the cipher 
key. Then I overhauled the clipper as she 
sailed out of Charleston harbor, and finding 
that she was bound for New York, I boarded 
her.^^ 

You suspected that the British vessel, with 
Mayhew a prisoner on board, would sail for 
this place ? 

I did.^^ 

'' And you were correct, said Roger Dare ; 
“ for she now lies, unless I am greatly mistaken, 
in the bay.^^ 

“ In the bay ? 

Yes ; it's queer that you did not see her as 
you came in." 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 235 

I landed about two miles farther up the 
coast/’ said Stephen. 

“ That explains it then. But come, let us 
try to find out what they are about. We 
were upon our way to the bay shore when we 
sighted you making your way toward the 
house, here.” 

Stephen looked at the cheerless, snow cov- 
ered walls that arose gaunt and inhospitable 
in the night ; he shivered. 

“ There is not a great deal left of the old 
place, is there ? ” he said. 

“ No ! ” answered Roger ; between you all, 
the building has suffered.” 

Then all four made their slow way through 
the drifts in the direction of the bay ; but they 
had not gone a dozen yards when they heard 
the murmur of voices, and discerned a number 
of men advancing directly toward them. 

“ It’s Glastonbury and his men,” said Roger 
as he caught the clank of arms and the harsh 
voiced commands of officers. 

They crouched behind a huge drift and 
waited ; in a few moments the party had come 
up and passed them on the way to White 
Towers. As they did so Roger heard the 


236 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

smooth accents of the Marquis, as he said in a 
mocking manner, 

“ I felt quite confident that you would come 
to our way of thinking before we had done 
with you, my dear lieutenant ” 

Then the following words were lost in the 
storm. 

“ Remain here,’’ said Roger, in a low voice 
to his companions, if you hear me call or fire, 
advance, but not before.” 

He crept away through the snow after the 
party of British ; they were inside the dis- 
mantled mansion when he reached there, and 
he stood without a gaping snow-filled window, 
listening and watching eagerly. 

Glastonbury had ordered several ships’ lan- 
terns, which they carried, lighted ; their pale 
flare lit up the scene but dimly. However, 
Roger could see all quite plainly. The sea- 
men were a half dozen in number and were 
armed with pistol, cutlass, and musket ; there 
was a midshipman in the party, an upright 
spruce looking chap, who had charge of the 
men. 

In the centre of the room stood the Marquis, 
shaking the snow from a long boat cloak; 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


237 

upon a broken chair sat a dark haired, fine 
looking young man of athletic build ; but his 
face was pale and drawn ; his attitude was 
that of one in agony. 

“ White Towers,^’ said the Marquis, calmly, 
as he replaced the cloak about his shoulders, 
and looked down at the man in the chair, is 
vastly changed since you served as secretary 
to my dear relative. Colonel Randall, is it 
not?^^ 

“ It is,’’ answered the other, briefiy. 

But for all that you will be able to find 
this little hiding place of which you spoke, 
will you not ? ” 

It is more than likely,” answered the 
other. He spoke in a low voice and never 
raised his eyes from the fioor. 

“ I am very sorry, indeed, to have inflicted 
any pain upon you,” said the Marquis with 
smooth suavity. “ Let me assure you that each 
stroke of the cat hurt me as much as it did 
you.” 

At this the young man raised his eyes for 
the first time, and Roger saw them flash with 
scorn. 

“ It would be as well for you not to play 


238 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

the hypocrite with me,” said he in a voice full 
of suppressed fury. “ It will serve no pur- 
pose, and will only increase my contempt for 
you, were that possible.” 

The Marquis shrugged his shoulders and 
smiled. 

“My dear lieutenant ” he began, but 

the other cut him short. 

“You strung me up to a grating in the 
presence of your entire ship^s company and 
lashed me with the cat as though I were a low 
ruffian of the forecastle ; I will not forget this, 
sir, and if the time ever comes, believe me I 
shall do my best to make you regret your act.” 

“ It is a foolish thing to cherish malice,” 
sneered the other, in his coldest tones. “ In 
doing what I did, I merely used the swiftest 
method of bringing you to your senses. You 
defied me at first ; but three dozen of the cat 
caused you to change your mind.” 

The other winced at this and the young 
sailor at the window saw him set his teeth 
firmly and turn his eyes doggedly to the floor. 
The Marquis waited for him to answer, but as 
he did not do so the nobleman turned to the 
midshipman. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 239 

Mr. Sears,” said he calmly, “ get your men 
to work.” 

The midshipman saluted. 

The bars, men,” said he briskly. Then 
as several heavy iron bars were produced, he 
continued addressing the Marquis : “ Under 
the hall stone, I think it was, sir.” 

“ Quite right, Mr. Sears, under the hall 
stone. And it should require no more than a 
few moments to raise it.” 

The partition wall between the room and 
hall had been torn away ; the men set to work 
to pry up a huge slab of white stone at the 
threshold of the main door. They dug the 
points of the heavy implements into the 
seams and soon had loosened the stone suffi- 
ciently to raise it. Roger watched them do this 
with his breath strangling in his throat, his 
heart thumping violently. Mayhew sat with 
bowed head, apparently overcome by the whole 
situation. As the stone was lifted by the 
brawny seamen and thrown aside, the mid- 
shipman flashed the rays of one of the ship’s 
lanterns into the opening disclosed ; then the 
Marquis stooped over with an exclamation of 
delight. 


240 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

At last ! '' he cried, and Roger saw him 
straighten up, a yellowed sheet of parchment 
crackling in his hand. Now their coasts are 
at our mercy I 

The words were no sooner out of his mouth 
than Mayhew, with a wild cry sprung upon 
him and wrenched the paper from his hand. 
Then with a shout of defiance the young man 
leaped through one of the sashless windows 
and disappeared in the darkness before the 
astounded British could raise a hand or fire a 
shot. 


CHAPTER XVIII 


LOCKED IN THE ICE 

For a few moments the usually ready 
Marquis of Glastonbury stood amazed. Then 
he cried out, with all the savagery of a dis- 
appointed animal : 

After him, lads ! Ten guineas for the man 
who brings him down.’* 

At once the seamen sprang away in pur- 
suit, with the midshipman and the Marquis 
at their head. 

Then Roger rushed back and informed his 
startled companions of what had happened, 
and they all at once took up the pursuit 
through the storm. But they had nothing to 
guide them save the sounds ahead, and as 
these grew fainter and fainter, finally ceasing 
altogether, they paused baffled. 

'*What now?” asked Stephen, after they 
had stood for a moment in the snow. 

** Back to the bay shore,” said Roger Dare 

241 


242 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


promptly. “ Whether they catch him or not 
they will return to their vessel. The Spitfire 
will be awaiting them when they do.’’ 

Good,” said the secret service men in a 
breath. 

They retraced their steps toward the little 
bay ; and reaching it they signaled the brig, 
which at once sent a boat ashore to bring 
them aboard. For more than an hour they 
kept watch upon deck ; at length they heard 
a pistol shot from the shore and then the 
rattle of blocks as a boat was lowered from 
the invisible sloop. 

The wind had gone down by this time, and 
the snow had ceased. But it had grown in- 
tensely cold ; and the grinding of the ice 
about the brig’s hull was a steady and melan- 
choly sound. 

“ Mr. Taylor,” said Roger, after he had 
listened for sounds of the returning boat, and 
was at length rewarded, ship the anchor at 
once, and make sail.” 

The men swayed and swung around the 
capstan ; the anchor chain was bound in the 
ice and much difficulty was experienced in 
the work. But at last the task was done and 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 243 

light sail was hoisted ; but the Spitfire never 
budged. 

The dawn was slowly rising and its faint 
light showed the dim outlines of the British 
sloop already under canvas and moving 
slowly toward open water. Roger saw this as 
he glanced over the starboard rail. 

‘‘ We are wedged in the ice at the bow,’^ 
said he. Mr. Taylor, order a half dozen 
men over the side to cut her out.’^ 

This order was instantly carried out ; two 
boats were lowered, and soon the steady strokes 
of the axes were heard as the seamen set des- 
perately to work. 

She will escape us ! ” cried Stephen as he 
saw that it would require time to free the brig 
from her icy fetters. “We shall be too 
late ! ’’ 

“ Perhaps not,’' said Roger coolly, “ see, she 
must pass within a pistol shot of us to avoid 
those floes ; we’ll try a gun upon her.” 

The axes bit into the ice about the bows ; 
and the British sloop came on. At length 
Roger hailed her. 

“ Heave to,” he shouted, after he had been 
answered. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


244 

The light was now fairly good, and he could 
see the sloop^s crew crowding to the rail ; many 
pointing fingers showed that they perceived 
the Spitfire's predicament. The Marquis of 
Glastonbury was pacing her quarter deck ; he 
waved his hand to Roger in mocking salute. 

You will pardon me if I decline,'’ said he, 
recognizing the young captain instantly, so 
close were they together. And pray accept 
my sympathy for your ice-locked condition.” 

“ My guns are not ice locked,” cried Roger, 
through his trumpet. Heave to, or I’ll sink 
you ! ” 

But the Marquis only laughed and waved 
his hand once more. 

Give my compliments to my escaped 
prisoner,” said he, and there was a trace of bit- 
terness in his voice. Say to him that I hope 
to meet with him again, foot to foot and sword 
to sword ; and I’ll then engage to have his 
traitorous life.” 

As the sloop passed gallantly on Roger cried 
to his first officer, You may fire, Mr. Tay- 
lor.” 

The long pivot gun spoke gruffly and the 
shot smashed some of the sloop’s housing. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 245 

But this was the only gun that could be 
brought to bear and by the time it was loaded 
and sighted once more the British craft was 
bowling away with increasing speed. 

“ Careful, Mr. Taylor, said Roger. ‘‘ Try 
for his rigging.^’ 

“ Ay, ay, sir,’^ came the response. Again 
the gun barked, and true to its mark sped the 
shot, splintering the sloop's topmast. But this 
was soon cleared away, and despite the excel- 
lent gunnery of Lieutenant Taylor she got 
clear of the bay without further damage. 

No use," said the young captain of the 
brig, as he gave the word to cease firing. 
“ He’s beyond our reach." 

“ But he’s left Mayhew and the cipher be- 
hind," cried Stephen, exultantly. 

“ Perhaps," answered Roger as he peered 
over the rail at the seamen who were still cut- 
ting at the ice. But don’t be too sure of 
that. The Marquis of Glastonbury is a gen- 
tleman of infinite resource." 


CHAPTER XIX 


A DASH FOR FREEDOM 

It took some hours to clear the brig, and 
then she was towed out into open water. 
When daylight was fully come, Roger, 
Stephen, the two secret service men and some 
members of the crew went ashore to look for 
traces of Lieutenant Mayhew ; but they 
sought all day without success. 

That night they spent at the cottage with 
old Cato. The faithful servant was delighted 
beyond measure to see his young master once 
more, and hovered about him constantly. 
The next day and the next was spent in search- 
ing for the missing man, but still there was no 
result. 

The Marquis may have had him in the 
sloop after all,^^ said Stephen. 

'' I think not,^^ said the one-armed man. 
“ His tone was too bitter when he spoke of 
Mayhew. It is my opinion that we shall 
246 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 247 

come upon some trace of the officer before 
long/’ 

The next day proved the truth of this ; 
they came upon a small hut at Montauk 
Point, the inhabitant of which, a grizzled old 
fisherman, told them how he had found a 
young man exhausted in the snow, and had 
taken him in. 

“ It wasn’t so much the cold that tuckered 
him out,” said the old man ; “ it was the beat- 
ing he had received. His back was laced 
into shreds.” 

Roger remembered the talk of Mayhew’s 
being flogged on board the sloop to make him 
tell where the cipher key was hidden ; and he 
knew at once that the old fisherman’s guest 
was the man they sought. 

“ Where is he now ? ” inquired the lad 
eagerly. 

The old man crossed his legs and clasped 
his hands about one knee. 

He’s somewheres at sea,” he replied. 
“ Captain Heffron in the Sarah May was sailing 
for New Orleans, and took him along. You 
see the young feller was mighty sick ; and as 
there is a doctor aboard the Sarah May, and 


248 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

the sick man had money, why we kind of 
thought that it would be best for all hands if 
he went in her.’’ 

“ What now ? ” asked Stephen, as they 
slowly made their way back toward Good 
Ground. 

“ The Spitfire sails for New Orleans at 
once,” answered Roger decisively. 

Before they reached the bay their plans 
were completed. The secret service men were 
to remain in the neighborhood of White 
Towers, as was Cato ; Stephen was to ac- 
company Roger in the brig in the run south. 

The brave little vessel set sail at once ; 
but misfortune seemed to single her out, for 
she had her foremast carried away in a gale, 
and she put into New London, having been 
blown in that direction by the storm. When 
all was ready for her to put to sea once more 
the news came that the harbor was blockaded 
by a British ship-of-the-line and two frigates. 

This was disheartening news for the two 
boys ; there were a few American privateers in 
the port, but none large enough to cope with 
the blockaders ; so New London was, for the 
time at least, sealed. During the remainder 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 249 

of the winter the brig lay at anchor ; in the 
^ spring, unable to bear the suspense any longer, 
both Stephen and Roger made their way to 
Washington by stage, to inquire if the War 
Department had any information as to Lieu- 
tenant Mayhew. 

“ We know nothing, they were told, after 
they had related their story to the heads of 
the department. If Lieutenant Mayhew were 
in possession of so important a document as 
the cipher key, he would be sure to place him- 
self in communication with us.” 

But,” inquired Roger anxiously, you 
do not think the British have the key, do 
you?” 

No,” was the confident answer. The 
way they are going about their work of at- 
tacking and blockading proves that.” 

It was March, 1814, before the two lads 
heard anything of the missing man. Then 
they received a message from the assistant 
secretary of war notifying them that word had 
reached Washington that Mayhew was re- 
ported to be very ill in the neighborhood of 
New Orleans. A British corvette had been 
captured by an American ship-of-war and 


250 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


among her papers was a letter to Admiral 
Cochrane of the British squadron. The letter 
was signed by the Marquis of Glastonbury. 

“ That settles it/’ said Roger Dare, re- 
solvedly, blockade or no blockade, we must 
put to sea.” 

‘^We could never slip past those heavy 
ships of war,” cried Stephen. 

“We are going to try at all events,” said 
Roger. 

The crew of the Spitfire had all been dis- 
charged long before; so that evening Roger 
spoke to his first officer, Mr. Taylor, who was 
still in the brig, regarding the prospects of 
shipping a new crew. 

“ I suppose there are a great many seamen 
in the towns along the bay,” said the young 
captain. 

“ Hundreds of them. The pick of them 
could be had by any enterprising captain 
who could get to sea. They are able seamen, 
and desperate fighters all ; I’d like to sail with 
such a lot behind me.” 

“ I hardly think,” said the young com- 
mander, “ that a crew could be shipped that 
would take the same chance taken by those 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 251 

upon the Yankee Tar^ which was sunk some 
few weeks ago.’^ 

There you are mistaken/' said the first 
mate. “ You could get two ships' companies 
immediately if you desired them, and a round 
score would be from the old crew of the Tar 
herself. The sailormen are anxious for a 
cruise and prize money ; they would face the 
entire English navy, and only ask half a 
chance." 

Send out word that the Spitfire is shipping 
a crew and that she'll sail in a fortnight," 
said Roger Dare, promptly. 

'' You don't mean it," cried the delighted 
mate. 

I was never more serious in my life. The 
brig shall be docked to-morrow, and we'll 
scrape her bottom, for she must be foul again. 
Then we'll get her trim and true aloft, and 
see what can be done afterward." 

The town soon rang with the news, and 
seamen anxious for a cruise thronged the 
piers inquiring for the skipper of the Spitfire. 
In a very few days the crew, seventy-five in 
all, were selected, and a fine, bronzed, hardy 
lot of young tars they were, American to a 


252 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


man, all burning to get a chance at the foe, 
and secure a generous share of the prize 
money that a lucky cruise would bring. 

Some delays were encountered in making 
the Spitfire ready for sea, and it was well into 
April before she was warped out of the dock, 
looking as trim, taut and natty as fresh paint 
and expert riggers could make her. One 
after another the officers of the privateers in 
the port came aboard of her and advised Roger 
against his desperate venture. 

What can a hooker like this do against 
that floating battery of seventy-four guns ? ” 
demanded one weather beaten old salt, with 
indignation. “She’ll blow you out of the 
water.” 

“ She will if she catches me,” answered 
Roger, with a light laugh. 

The old captain seemed to regard the lad’s 
daring in the light of presumption ; what 
possessed a boy to venture where a seasoned 
sailor like himself dreaded to go ; it was some- 
thing to be discouraged. 

“ If the ship-of-the-line can’t catch you, 
there are some others in the blockading 
squadron that can,” said the veteran, wrink- 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 253 

ling his brows in a displeased sort of way. 
“ There is a corvette yonder that sails like a 
flash. It was she that drove the Yankee Tar 
on therocks.’^ 

How much of a fight did Captain Judson 
of the Tar make? inquired Roger, innocently. 
He had carefully gone over this point with 
some of the men who had sailed in the 
burned schooner, and had discovered that at 
the first scattering broadside Captain Judson 
had lost his head and thought only of flight ; 
a few well served guns would have, perhaps, 
saved his vessel. 

He knew better than to try to fight against 
such odds,^’ snorted the old master, as he went 
over the side, into his jolly boat. Judson 
was no fool.’^ 

That means that I am,’^ laughed Roger, 
to Taylor, as the jolly boat shoved off and 
bore its irate captain back to his ship. 

“ Those fellows are not of the fighting 
stripe,’^ said the first mate. They sail for 
booty alone, and some of them are no better 
than sea robbers. My idea of a privateer is 
one like Barney ; he fought everything that 
came his way, and never stopped to ask 


254 the boy tars OF 1812 

questions about his enemy's weight of 
metal." 

‘‘ Good ! " cried Roger, who was an ardent 
admirer of that great sailor, Joshua Barney, 
first a privateer and then commodore in the 
navy. I agree with you there, Mr. Taylor. 
And on this cruise we will strive to be as like 
Barney as possible." 

Upon the second night after the brig had 
nosed her way out into the harbor, dirty 
weather came on ; the gale tore along the 
coast like a raving giant ; the stars and 
moon were hidden ; the seas beat upon the 
shore with relentless fury. 

This is the night for us," said Roger, as 
he watched, in early evening, the dashing 
rain and the wrack of clouds scudding across 
the sky. Are all the men at hand, Mr. 
Taylor? " 

There are but a very few ashore," answered 
the first officer, and we can get word to them 
to come aboard within an hour." 

“ Do so at once," directed the young captain. 

Those on shore leave came off immediately, 
and amid the darkness and storm the Spitfire 
hove her anchor and made sail. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 255 

Ahead all was darkness, and the whirling 
storm ; but the little brig, like an intelligent 
thing delighted to be free once more, went 
plunging along, tossing the seas from her 
sharp bows with a zest and dash that made 
Roger’s heart beat high with satisfaction. 
There were no lights to be seen on board of 
her ; the word had been passed for silence 
among the men fore and aft ; her nine pounders 
were loaded and primed ; both the primings 
and the smouldering matches were shielded 
by heavy tarpaulins from the rain and spray, 
and from sharp eyes in the blockading fleet. 

Roger and Mr. Taylor stood forward striv- 
ing to pierce the murk ahead. 

“ It’s as black as the inside of your hat,” 
said the first offlcer, in a low tone ; we could 
almost smash into them before we’d be aware 
of each other’s presence.” 

They don’t seem to show any more light 
than we do,” answered Roger, as he continued 
to strain his eyes ahead. 

On went the Spitfire through the darkness ; 
at length the fierce sweep of the wind told 
them that they were well into the sound ; 
Roger was just about turning to Mr. Taylor 


256 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

with a delighted expression of satisfaction at 
their good fortune, when a shout from star- 
board warned him that they were not yet out 
of danger. 

“ Ahoy ! cried a voice all but drowned in 
the slanting hiss of the gale. “ What ship is 
that?^’ 

No answer came from the fleeing Spitfire 
save the creaking of her blocks, the rattle of 
her spars, and the slatting of her sails as she ' 
hauled about, hung for a moment, and then ; 
went dashing away from danger. 

No farther inquiry was made from the in- ’ 
visible blockader ; a gun roared redly in the | 
night followed by another and still another. ] 
The next moment, the piping of shrill calls j 
was heard above the gale and the roll of alarm \ 
drums went through the squadron. 

“ We seem to be in the midst of them,’^ said t 
Roger, his quick ear noting that the sounds ;; 
came from all sides. “ Bid the men stand to j 
their guns ; we may be forced to flght our way ^ 
through, for all.^’ | 

Lights began to sparkle from the British f 
ships in tiny red spots, as the battle lanterns | 
were lighted. Dead ahead lay a vessel appar- / 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 257 

ently smaller than the others of the squadron, 
and from her low lying deck came the bustle 
of preparation. 

It's the corvette that we’ve heard of,” said 
Taylor to Roger. 

“ The only vessel among them fast enough to 
catch us,” returned Roger. ‘‘ Bring us across 
her stern, Mr. Taylor, and we’ll try to cripple 
her and put a stop to that.” 

The grizzled first officer sprang to the helm 
himself and the brig in a few moments crept 
upon her foe like a ghost. In quick succes- 
sion three broadsides were poured into the 
helpless corvette, and her rigging and spars 
hung, a mass of wreckage, from her masts. 

Then the Spitfire drew off, and with a spite- 
ful last shot of her long bow gun, went slip- 
ping away into the storm, with the huge Brit- 
ish ships-of-the-line crowding on sail after 
her. 


CHAPTER XX 


ROGER MEETS WITH JEAN LAFITTE 

The daring little brig soon showed the pon- 
derous British battle ships that there was small 
chance of their overhauling her ; she scudded 
away under as much sail as Roger dared to 
spread and soon was lost to them in the dark- 
ness. 

The gale continued to blow for some days, 
and the Spitfire was driven south at a great 
rate, and when it was over they found them- 
selves in the neighborhood of Bermuda. Here 
the Spitfire took a merchantman with a rich 
cargo ; on board was an American seaman who 
had escaped impressment in a British war-ship ; 
and he told Roger of a powerful fleet and army 
being collected at Bermuda for a descent upon 
New Orleans, then the great emporium of the 
western states. 

“ The man says that Admiral Cochrane is 
fitting out another fleet at Pensacola, said 
258 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 259 

Stephen, when they were well under way, a 
favoring breeze bearing them swiftly westward 
toward the gulf. 

“ But Pensacola is Spanish territory ! ’’ ex- 
claimed the young captain. 

“ The British care little for that,” said 
Stephen with a shrug ; and then these Span- 
ish governors are easily bought.” 

But the brig was not to reach her journey’s 
end so soon as Roger Dare hoped. Bad 
weather came on once more, and hostile ves- 
sels crossed his way ; and he was forced to run 
as far south as the coast of Brazil to escape 
them ; when, at last, the brig dashed the gulf 
seas from her prow, it was late in August. 

Proceeding, with light winds, toward the 
mouth of the Mississippi, Roger and Stephen 
felt high-hearted once more ; but soon the 
lookout sighted two sails that appeared to be 
ships of war. The brig ran in shore and 
hugged the coast, dodging alertly among the 
bays and islands that abound in that latitude. 
The strange ships came on to examine her. 
The Spitfire drew much less water and was en- 
abled to avoid them by running into Bara- 
taria Bay and seeking the protection of the 


26 o the boy tars of 1812 


shoal water about a small island. The other 
craft, however, hovered about as though in 
doubt as to the best thing to do. 

They will end in sending boats off to at- 
tack us,^^ said Stephen as he watched the 
strangers through his glass. 

“We had better prepare for them, then,” 
suggested Roger. 

In a little while the Spitfire^s decks were 
silently cleared, and her guns loaded with 
grape. Small arms were distributed among 
the crew. The little vessel lay at anchor all 
the afternoon, but there was no sign of the 
war-ships attacking her. The night drew on 
and passed ; when morning bathed the warm 
waters of the bay with gold nothing was to be 
seen of the British ships. 

“ They have thought better of it,” said 
Roger, as he came on deck and heard the 
news. “ Well, that* is all the better for us ; 
there was nothing but hard knocks to be had 
by engaging them.” 

The little island lay off their port side, 
green, redolent of flowers and glowing with 
ripened fruit. It had been months since the 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


261 


two lads had been ashore, and a sudden yearn- 
ing came over them to put off to this beautiful 
spot and walk about in the shade of its groves, 
pluck the ripe fruit and drink of the brooks 
which they knew would be there. 

“ You had better take a few men,’^ said the 
first officer, when Roger announced their inten- 
tions. And take your cutlasses and pistols. 
I’ve heard strange tales of these waters ; they 
are none too safe, by all accounts.” 

A boat was lowered and Roger, Stephen and 
four men, including Starbuck and Davis, 
pulled off to the island. 

“ A beautiful place, indeed,” said Roger, as 
his feet pressed the fine white sand of the 
beach, and his eyes took in the graceful shapes 
of the tall, waving palms. 

Starbuck sniffed the warm air and said, as 
he saluted. 

Begging your pardon, sir, but there is like 
to be fever in these islands ; they are most all 
swamp, and the sun rots everything.” 

“ There is little romance in you old sea- 
dogs,” laughed Roger. 

They pushed ahead slowly through the 


262 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


groves and interlacing growth ; the island was 
a very small one, and they had about reached 
its centre when Roger halted suddenly and 
raised his hand for silence. 

What is it ? asked Stephen. 

The soft wind was rustling the tufted tops 
of the palms and the brilliantly colored birds 
were chattering shrilly ; but above this came 
the unmistakable sound of human voices. 
They were not near enough to catch the 
words ; but the voices were raised to a sharp 
pitch of anger ; one seemed to be threatening, 
the other defying. 

There is trouble of some sort ahead,^^ said 
the young captain of the brig as he hitched the 
hilt of his cutlass nearer to his hand. Fol- 
low me, and step as softly as possible/^ 

He and Stephen went forward slowly and 
carefully, the four seamen at their heels. The 
voices became more distinct ; they could now 
distinguish words, a strange mixture of 
Spanish, French and English. At length 
they reached the edge of the chaparral through 
which they were passing ; in a small clearing, 
in the centre of which was a rough hut of logs, 
were grouped a dozen or more men. They 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 263 

were a dark, wild looking lot, with scowling, 
savage faces, and they were armed to the teeth. 

Some of them were negroes, others were 
mulattos, others again showed evidence of a 
mongrel Indian descent ; a few disreputable 
Spaniards and creoles were also among them. 

Upon the ground^ near the door of the hut 
lay a man ; he was apparently fast in the 
clutches of swamp fever, or some such com- 
plaint, for his face was white, his eyes had 
an unnatural brilliancy and the stare of delir- 
ium ; his lips were muttering and his wasted 
hands were raised as though to ward off dan- 
ger. 

Mayhew,^^ breathed Roger in Stephen’s 
ear. “ And we seem to be just in time.” 

A slight dark man with the flashing eyes 
and small hands and feet of the creole, stood 
over Mayhew, facing the others, a cocked 
pistol in his hand. Before him was a huge 
negro, looking for all the world like a savage 
chieftain ; he flourished a heavy boarding axe 
about his head. 

“ You mongrel swine,” the man with the 
pistol was saying, his voice high pitched, and 
quivering with anger. “ You have sold him 


264 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

to the British. I know you, Baptiste Morode,'^ 
addressing the black, '' and I know all your 
cronies in the band, and what you are likely 
to do. He is my guest ; and my life stands 
between him and you.” 

He quivered with rage as he almost 
shrieked these words ; the huge negro made 
no answer, but leaped forward, swinging the 
boarding axe for a fatal blow. But the muz- 
zle of the white man^s pistol stared him in the 
face for one brief instant, then exploded ; and 
the great black body paused, swaying weakly ; 
then the axe fell from his hands, the arms 
were wide flung and Baptiste Morode crashed 
to the earth. 

The remainder of the party without an in- 
stant’s hesitation threw themselves upon the 
man who thus dared them to their worst ; he 
flashed out the sword that hung at his side 
and engaged them desperately, slashing and 
cutting with the fury of a man driven to bay. 
Like snarling wolves the others pressed upon 
him. Just when he must have thought that 
the next blow would be his last, Roger Dare, 
Stephen and the four hardy tars, leaped from 
the bush with drawn blades and ready pistols ; 



'J'HEY CAME FORWARD 
WITH DRA WN BLADES 





THE BOY TARS OF 1812 265 

and in another instant the desperadoes were 
flying helter-skelter for their lives. 

The small dark man stood leaning against 
the wall of the hut breathing heavily ; 
his great dark eyes were flxed upon his 
rescuers steadfastly ; one of his slim hands was 
waving his thanks. 

“ A narrow escape, sir,” said Roger Dare. 

Without a word the stranger advanced, took 
his hand and pressed it hard ; he was still too 
breathless to speak, but his manner conveyed 
his feelings perfectly. The athletic young 
sailor towered above him head and shoulders ; 
but there was an air of command about the 
stranger that gave dignity to his short stature. 
At last he was able to speak. 

“ Sir,” said he, as he bowed to Roger and 
his men, I am grateful ; I thank you. You 
have saved my life. Another moment and 
those swine would have had me under foot 
and let the life out of me with their blades. 
I will remember ; no matter what else may be 
said against him, it will never be said that 
Jean Lafitte proved ungrateful.” 

'' Jean Lafitte ! ” echoed Roger in astonish- 
ment. 


266 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


The stranger laughed lightly. 

Does it surprise you ? asked he. Yes ; 
I am Lafitte, leader of the privateers of Bara- 
taria.” 


CHAPTER XXI 


THE NOBLE MARQUIS ONCE MORE 

Stephen and the seamen were attending to 
Mayhew ; seeing this Roger gave all his atten- 
tion to Lafitte. 

For years this enterprising buccaneer had 
made his rendezvous at Barataria and levied 
toll upon passing ships. His armed vessels 
were many ; whole colonies of men were un- 
der his command ; the administration of the 
law was lax, as the United States had but 
newly pushed its borders to the open gulf, and 
so this little dark man was practically the 
ruler of the neighboring seas. 

Roger Dare had frequently heard of him ; 
but he had always fancied Lafitte to be a great, 
shaggy brute who condemned men to death 
upon the slightest pretext, attacked helpless 
merchantmen with carronade, musket and 
pike, and otherwise conducted himself after 
the fashion of the pirate of romance. That this 

267 


268 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


slim, dark little man in spotless white trousers 
and jacket and with the suave manners of the 
typical creole gentleman should be Lafitte 
seemed impossible. The subject of these 
thoughts watched the young sailor intently, 
seemed to read his thoughts and laughed once 
more. 

Oh, you are surprised, like many more,” 
said he, lightly. “ I have been much dis- 
cussed and, I fear, much slandered.” He 
paused a moment, his keen eyes running 
over Roger and the tars at his side. You 
are Englishmen, I suppose,” he continued. 

“No; Americans,” answered Roger. “We 
are from the brig Spitfire, anchored off this 
island.” 

“ Americans ! Ah, I like the Americans. 
They are a progressive race. They are not like 
the slow-blooded Spaniards and the creoles, who 
think it a disgrace to work. Now that Lou- 
isiana belongs to the Americans they will make 
something of it — something to be proud of.” 

“ If given time, yes,” returned Roger. 

“ And so the brig is American ? ” went on 
Lafitte. “ I saw her come up yesterday. 
When the others moved around to the far side 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 269 

of the island during the night I thought it a 
little strange/' 

“ The others ! " said Roger in surprise. 

“ Of course. The British ships." 

I thought they had gone ! " exclaimed the 
young American. 

No," said Lafitte ; they are at anchor in 
the bay. Indeed I have learned that some of 
them are to come olF, having purchased," bit- 
terly, my guest here from this traitor at my 
feet." 

Purchased ! " echoed Roger. 

“Yes. These English are ever very ready 
with their gold. This young American officer," 
and he nodded toward Mayhew, “ seems to 
have some information which they desire. 
To approach a villain like Baptiste Morode 
was easy enough ; but how they discovered 
that Mr. Mayhew was my guest is more than 
I can understand." 

Mayhew was now borne into the hut and 
placed upon a bed. 

“ He has lain here for some weeks burning 
up with fever," continued Lafitte. “ They 
were upon the point of carrying him to the 
landing place of the British when I arrived." 


270 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


He raised Mayhew^s head and gave him a 
cooling drink. Then he turned to the two 
young Americans. 

But it is not only upon the matter of Mr. 
Mayhew that the English officers land upon 
this island to-day. They come to see me, as 
well.’^ 

Roger gazed into the dark face of the pirate, 
for such he was beyond question, and a thrill 
ran through his blood at what he saw there. 

“ The British are sending envoys to you,*^ 
said he, quietly, keeping his true feelings hid- 
den beneath the jest. 

Lafitte laughed. 

“ Envoys ! Ah, well perhaps that is near 
the truth, after all. In times like these,^^ 
proudly, a man like Jean Lafitte is very 
useful.” 

They are soliciting all the aid they can, I 
suppose ? ” said Roger, his thumbs in his belt, 
his feet very wide apart, his manner cool and 
inquiring. 

They are,” answered Lafitte. There is a 
fleet of small vessels at Pensacola which the 
British seem to have seized in spite of Spanish 
protests. During the summer I heard of the 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 271 

brig Orpheus landing a number of officers at 
Appalachicola Bay ; they made arrangements 
with the Creeks, and the savages are to aid 
them in their designs upon Louisiana.’^ 

“ The same methods that they are using in 
the north ! ” cried Roger indignantly. 

But here they are enlisting the Indians, 
smiled Lafitte ; “ they have attired them in 
British uniform and drill them daily. And 
the Indians are not the only ones whom they 
have approached. The slaves also received 
some of their attention.’’ 

The slaves ! ” 

“ Yes. They have been encouraged to rebel, 
kill their masters and take possession of the 
plantations. Ah, my dear sir, the British 
stop at nothing. Success is their object, and 
win it they will, no matter how.” 

“ And now they are coming here to secure 
your help.” Roger regarded Lafitte for a 
moment, steadily, then continued : And, if 
I may ask it, what will be your answer? ” 

A brisk, bustling little man, old, but with 
the springy step of youth, came hurrying into 
the hut at this moment. 

“ Captain Lockyer and another gentleman 


272 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

are coming, sir,^^ said he. Then with a stare 
of astonishment at Roger and his men he 
continued : “ But who are these? '' 

“ They are friends of mine/^ smiled Lafitte. 

They came at a moment when they were 
badly needed. Look here,'^ and he pointed 
through the doorway to the body of the 
giant negro which lay only a few yards 
away. 

The brisk little man stared more than ever. 

“ Baptiste Morode ! he cried. And 
dead.'^ 

“ Yes,^^ answered Lafitte. It was a thing 
to be expected, was it not ? 

“ I warned you long ago against him, my 
captain,” said the little man. He was a 
traitorous hound and stirred discontent at 
Barataria. But why did you shoot him ? ” 

“ He and his cronies were about to deliver 
Mr. Mayhew to the British.” 

“ I warned you not to permit them on the 
island,” cried the other, with a pale face. 

Lafitte laughed once more and turned to 
Roger. 

'' My man of business, Mr. Cajours,” said 
he, by way of introduction. It is he who 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 273 

disposes of those vessels and cargoes which 
it is my good fortune to take, and,” smil- 
ingly, he also acts as my adviser in many 
things.” 

“ And always to your good ! ” cried Cajours. 
“You are reckless, Jean ; you take unnecessary 
risks. It is a wonder to me that Baptiste and 
the rest of those fellows had not made away 
with you long ago.” 

“ Ah, well, Cajours, I take your advice, do 
I not — that is when it is convenient. So, you 
have nothing to complain of.” 

“You take my advice in small things, but 
not in the greater ones. Here are these 
English,” and the little man grimaced sourly, 
“ come to buy you, and you treat with them 
just as if they had any honor and thought to 
deal fairly.” He cast a rapid glance at Roger 
and his boat’s crew. “ I don’t know,” he con- 
tinued, “ what nation these gentlemen and 
their followers are of, but I will say it boldly 
that I detest the British. They have treated 
me unfairly ; they used me as a dog ; they 
seized my plantation in Bermuda without 
cause ; they cast me out of the island and 
made a beggar of me.” He glared at the 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


274 

lads and shook his fist in the air. “ Oh, how 
I detest the English ! 

“ I don’t wonder at it,” smiled Roger, while 
Starbuck and the other seamen grinned. 

“You are wasting your indignation,” said 
Lafitte. “ These are Americans.” 

Cajours at this darted forward and seized 
Roger’s hand. 

“ Americans ! Welcome ! Welcome ! ” cried 
he, delightedly. “ And come from General 
Jackson, I’ll be bound.” 

“ General Jackson ! ” said Roger, in sur- 
prise. “ No ; you are mistaken there.” 

Cajours seemed disappointed. It was Lafitte 
who spoke next. 

“ Cajours has been expecting the new hero 
of the whites of this region to send to us for 
aid against his foes. You know of Jackson, 
of course ? ” 

“ I know that he has been engaged in put- 
ting down the Creeks and other hostile tribes,” 
said Roger, “ but that is all.” 

“ A fine soldier,” said Lafitte, admiringly. 
“ One who knows the profession of arms 
thoroughly ; and when he acts he acts like 
lightning, and with about the same effect. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 275 

There is never any discussion about his 
victories. That he is the victor is always 
very evident.^^ 

The English/^ said Cajours, are going to 
make an attempt upon Fort Bowyer, at the 
mouth of Mobile Bay, and then upon New 
Orleans. Jackson must need help ; why does 
he not come to us as the British do ? He makes 
a mistake in neglecting this — a very great 
mistake.’^ 

At this moment there came a crashing of 
feet among the dry underbrush without, and 
a tall, soldierly looking man in the scarlet 
coat of a captain of British infantry came into 
view ; and immediately behind him walked 
another man of elegant and aristocratic bear- 
ing, looking strangely out of place upon that 
wild island, so carefully was he dressed, so 
mincing was his step as he avoided soiling his 
highly polished boots in the pools and damp 
grass. Lafitte had gone outside at the first 
hint of their approach and, upon his request 
that they do so, Roger and Stephen followed 
him. Roger, when he got a good view of the 
last of the newcomers, uttered an exclamation 
of astonishment, which Stephen echoed. 


276 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

Immediately the man raised a gold rimmed 
glass and fixed the youths with a cold stare that 
instantly gave way to a glare of amazement 
and hate. 

“ Again/^ he cried out. 

Once again,” smiled Roger, coolly. 
“ When I learned of the attempt to buy this 
fellow,” and the young sailor pointed to the 
body of Baptiste Morode, “I might have 
known very well that the Marquis of Glaston- 
bury had a hand in it.” 

Your tongue has lost none of its sharp- 
ness,” said the Marquis, whose even manner 
had now returned. Then he fixed his glass 
upon Stephen ; the now strapping proportions 
and resolute expression of the lad seemed to 
surprise him. 

You have improved,” said he, coldly. 

It has been a sort of training for me, this 
last year or so,” said Stephen, coolly. “ In- 
deed,” significantly, I hardly think you will 
find me the same person at all.” 

Roger noticed the dark eyes of Lafitte re- 
garding them with some surprise, but before 
he had a chance to make any explanation. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 277 

the soldier-like man who bore the Marquis 
company now stepped forward. 

“ This is Captain Jean Lafitte, I believe/’ 
began he. 

The pirate bowed in silence. 

“ I am Captain Lockyer, in the service of 
his Britannic majesty, and I bear letters for you 
from the commander of the English forces in 
this region.” 

He extended a packet of letters as he spoke, 
and Lafitte took and ran rapidly through 
them. 

“Captain Nicholls is very considerate, and 
I thank him,” said he at last. 

Lockyer was apparently a man who disliked 
ceremony of any sort. 

“ He makes a definite proposition,” said he, 
in a very businesslike way ; “ what is your 
answer to it ? ” 

“ I shall require time to consider it,” re- 
turned Lafitte. 

“ No refiection is necessary in a matter of 
this sort, and under these circumstances,” said 
Captain Lockyer. “You are a Frenchman ; 
and France is friendly to England at this 


278 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

time, as all her sons should be. Another 
thing ; you should be glad of a chance to 
strike a blow against the United States govern- 
ment ; it has proscribed you, and at this 
moment your brother is loaded with irons in 
the prison at New Orleans.” 

A shadow came over the face of Lafitte ; 
the Marquis of Glastonbury saw it, and put 
in : 

Permit me to add my poor words to those 
of our excellent friend, Lockyer. What he 
says is true in every respect. A gentleman like 
you must choose carefully, and choosing care- 
fully you must necessarily choose our cause.” 

Lafitte regarded the speaker gravely, then 
he nodded his head briefiy in a way that 
might mean almost anything and said : 

“ Go on.” 

We desire all the armed vessels at Bara- 
taria at this time,” went on the Marquis as he 
twirled his gold mounted glass delicately, 
and smiled his assurance ; “ also all the crews of 
them and any other men that you may have 
under your command.” 

“ You are asking a great deal,” said Lafitte. 

What say you, Cajours ? ” 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 279 

I never heard the like of it, captain, 
sputtered the little man who had been listen- 
ing with increasing anger. 

If we are asking much,” said Captain 
Lockyer, “ we are also prepared to offer a great 
deal.” 

Lend us your aid and the aid of your ves- 
sels and crews,” added Glastonbury, and 
we^ll make you a captain in the British navy 
and deliver to you the sum of thirty thousand 
dollars at Pensocola or New Orleans, which- 
ever you prefer.” 

Lafitte pondered ; and it was then that 
Roger Dare spoke for the first time. 

“ How does Captain Lafitte know that 
your promises will be kept? ” asked he, coolly. 

Lafitte flashed him a quick smile of ap- 
proval. The Marquis of Glastonbury turned 
upon the lad with haughty disdain. 

The gentleman,” said he, coldly, has the 
sacred word of a British officer.” 

Roger and Stephen laughed at this, as did 
Cajours and the Yankee seamen ; the two 
British emissaries flushed hotly. 

“ In this western world the word of a 
British officer is not worth a great deal,” said 


28 o the boy tars of 1812 


Roger Dare. '' It has been given too frequently 
and broken.” 

The Marquis of Glastonbury advanced with 
slow steps until he was at Roger’s side ; then 
he gazed into the lad’s face with the cold, 
deadly expression seen in the eyes of a snake. 

“ It seems to me,” said he, in a quiet voice 
that contained more menace than a higher 
pitched tone could possibly have done, “ that 
you are interesting yourself greatly in some- 
thing that does not concern you.” 

What is going forward here,” said Roger as 
he stared boldly into the face of the man, 
‘ ‘ concerns me as much as any one present. The 
safety of my country is, perhaps, at stake, and 
if there is anything that I can do to persuade 
Captain Lafitte to refuse your proposition, you 
may depend upon my doing it.” 

You have ever taken that high tone since 
that morning at White Towers. For a raw 
boy you presume too much, it seems to me. 
Had it not been for the inopportune arrival 
of those yokels that night when I crossed 
swords with you in the library, I would have 
given you a lesson.” 

It is never too late to learn,” suggested 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 281 


Roger, to the great delight of Starbuck and 
the other seamen. 

The words had no sooner passed his lips 
than the white, but powerful hands of the 
Marquis shot forward and clinched about his 
throat. The nobleman had a frame like iron, 
in spite of his affectations ; but Roger tore his 
grip loose with ease and stood braced for a 
struggle. However, at this point Lafitte in- 
terfered. 

Hold your hands,’^ said he, smilingly, as 
he came between them. In a very short 
time you may try to choke the breath out of 
each other in the cause of your respective 
countries. But I cannot permit it here where 
I command.” 

The Marquis at a whispered word from 
Lockyer drew back ; then, after a little pause 
the latter said to Lafitte, 

When will your decision in this matter 
reach us ? ” 

If I should make up my mind to look fa- 
vorably upon your proposition,” said the 
pirate, “ I will send a man aboard of you 
within the week.” 

Both Englishmen saw that this was the 


282 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


best that could be done ; and after a very few 
more words, took their leave of Lafitte, the 
Marquis favoring Roger with a look of deadly 
enmity as he went. 

“ The gentleman regards you with but little 
favor,” said the pirate, when their footsteps 
had died away. 

I have reason to think that he hates me,” 
answered Roger Dare. 

For another space there was silence. Then 
Lafitte took Cajours aside and they conferred 
earnestly together. At length Lafitte turned 
to Roger. 

“ When do you sail ? ” asked he. 

As soon as I return to the brig.” 

“ Would it be asking too much if I re- 
quested you to carry a letter ? ” 

To whom ? ” 

“ To General Jackson at Mobile.” 

Roger gained his side at a bound and 
grasped his arm eagerly. 

“ You mean ” 

I mean,” interrupted Lafitte, that 
through you I am going to offer my service 
to the American side in the coming battle.” 


CHAPTER XXII 


STIRRING TIMES AT NEW ORLEANS 

When the Spitfire sailed late next day she 
carried Cajours and May hew. The latter was 
still too ill to help himself and had to be car- 
ried on board ; and the fever still kept his 
brain clouded with the fantastic imagery of 
delirium. Lafitte was afraid that another at- 
tempt might be made to sell him to the British 
by the more ruffianly among his followers ; 
another thing : some distance up the Missis- 
sippi was an old negress famed as an herb doc- 
tor ; she had performed some remarkable 
cures, and Lafitte was anxious to have her try 
her skill upon Mayhew. 

Roger was curious to know what bond there 
was between Lafitte and Mayhew ; and on the 
way up the Mississippi Cajours told him. 

“ About two years ago Lieutenant Mayhew 
saved the life of Lafitte when he was threat- 
ened by the cut-throat Spaniards. But La- 
fitte had an opportunity to pay the debt when 

283 


284 the boy tars OF 1812 

the young man was marooned by an Amer- 
ican captain upon the island which we just 
left — marooned, mind you, and he so ill from 
exposure to cold somewhere up in the north, 
and from the effects of an inhuman flogging 
by the English, as to be almost at death’s 
door. But Lafitte found him and we’ve 
nursed him ever since. His vitality was so 
low that it seemed that he’d never recover ; 
from one complaint he slipped into another ; 
this last one — the swamp fever — seems the 
most stubborn of all.” 

The agent of Lafitte and the sick lieutenant 
were landed and conveyed to the hut of the 
old negress. She had once been the slave of 
Lafitte but he had given her her freedom ; 
and she was ready to do him any service in 
her power. 

After this had been safely performed the 
brig ascended the river to New Orleans ; then 
the two lads engaged horses and set out for 
Mobile, where they learned Jackson was at 
that time. Reaching the latter city they 
waited upon the commander at once. 

General Andrew Jackson was unquestion- 
ably the greatest American soldier of his time ; 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 285 

and he looked the grim iron-hearted warrior 
to perfection. Roger had always heard him 
described as gaunt ; but now he found him, 
through the ravages of a disease contracted in 
the swamps of Alabama, thin to the point of 
emaciation ; the haggard lines about "his 
mouth and eyes were deep and his expres- 
sion was that of a man who suffered contin- 
ually. 

Notwithstanding all this, the rugged force 
of the leader was plain to be seen ; sickness 
had in no wise diminished the invincible de- 
termination that ever characterized him ; his 
eyes were as keen as ever, and his perception 
as clear. Most men enduring the agonies 
which Jackson must have suffered at this 
period would have taken to their beds ; but 
not so this grim warrior. Like a fierce old 
lion he awaited the onset ; his country was in- 
vaded by her mortal foes, and while he could 
draw a breath or strike a blow there he would 
be to face them. 

The commander heard the lads^ story, and 
then read the letter of Lafitte with satisfac- 
tion. 

I accept the offer of Captain Lafitte,” said 


286 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


General Jackson. And you may bear my 
acceptance to him at once.” He dashed off a 
few lines of writing in his heavy, sprawling 
hand ; then as he was about to hand it to 
Roger he paused and glanced at them both, 
keenl3^ 

‘‘ What position do you hold among the men 
of Barataria?” he asked. 

Roger smiled at the bluntness of the ques- 
tion. 

We do not belong to Lafitte’s band,” he an- 
swered. I am captain of the letter-of-marque^ 
SpitfirCy at anchor in the Mississippi, and 
this is my friend Mr. Randall. We chanced 
to meet with Lafitte and had the good fortune 
to do him a service. He entrusted the letter 
to us, knowing that we would be sure to bring 
it to you.” 

I beg pardon of both of you,” said the 
American commander. While Lafitte is a 
good seaman and a fine fighter, he is still a 
pirate, and I suppose my coupling you with 
him is not exactly flattering.” 

Returning to New Orleans, the brig dropped 
down the river to carry Jackson ^s answer to 
Lafitte. On the way they stopped and visited 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 287 

the hut of the old black herb doctress. Both 
lads were burning for a chance to question 
Mayhew as to his disposition of the document 
which he had snatched from the Marquis of 
Glastonbury that night more than a year ago. 
But the young man was still tossing restlessly 
about ; his lips still babbled unmeaning things. 
The old negress shook her head when they 
asked about him. 

Dis young man’s pow’ful bad, mars’,’^ she 
answered. He done been sick so long dat he 
only got jest a liT bit of strenf left. He’s 
outen he head mos’ all de time.” 

Will he get well, do you think ? ” asked 
Stephen. 

** Mighty hard to say, sah, ’deed it is. Yo’ 
can’t tell ’bout dese fevers, nohow.” 

After this the days sped swiftly by. And 
each was marked by some new aggression 
upon the part of the British. Disappointed 
in their negotiations with Lafitte, the enemy 
turned their attention to the disaffected 
Creeks, drilled them, provided them with arms 
and clothing and other needful things. 

Then came the attack upon Fort Bowyer 
and its gallant defense by Major Lawrence. 


288 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


Worn out by the treacherous conduct of the 
Spaniards in harboring and helping the 
British, General Jackson advanced upon Pen- 
sacola with his army and reduced it ; then he 
marched for New Orleans and prepared for 
the attack v/hich he knew was coming. 

It was the 22d of December, however, be- 
fore the British effected a landing ; on the after- 
noon the Spitfire swept up the river to carry 
the news to Jackson. As the brig passed the 
cabin of the old negress where he had last 
seen Mayhew, Roger longed to put off in a 
boat and speak to him. But the news he 
carried would not permit delay. 

“ He must be almost well by this time,^^ said 
he to Stephen. 

IPs been all of two months since we had 
word of him,” returned the other lad ; “ and 
Lafitte’s agent said he was doing well then.” 

The little brig had been anchored at Bara- 
taria all this time, for British ships had 
swarmed in those waters and she had been un- 
able to sail. At last making a dash they had 
discovered the British landing. 

However, she was too late with the news of 
the invasion ; a young soldier. Major Villere, 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 289 

galloped up to Jackson’s headquarters before 
they could land. 

The enemy are upon us,” he cried, as mud- 
splashed and reeling he burst into the com- 
mander’s presence. “ They landed at Bayou 
Bienvenu and advanced upon my father’s 
plantation, capturing the militia encamped 
there.” 

Jackson was upon his feet in an instant ; 
his fist struck the table a terrific blow, and his 
stern eyes fiashed. 

They shall not sleep upon our soil ! ” he 
cried. Then turning to his aides, he con- 
tinued : “ Gentlemen, to work ! We march 

at once to meet them.” 

When Roger and Stephen came ashore, the 
city was afiame with excitement, and the little 
army of militia was on the march down the 
river road toward the Villere plantation. The 
lads watched until they saw the gaunt figure 
of the commander ride by among his aides ; 
then they followed. 

Stephen noticed Roger’s anxious bearing as 
they trudged along in the flare of the torches 
carried by a company of creole riflemen. 

What is the matter ? ” he asked. 


290 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


“ If we had only stopped and taken May hew 
aboard as we came up the river,” answered 
Roger. “ Should the English advance he will 
surely be taken.” 

“ He may not be there. Remember it is a 
long time since we heard any news of him. 
He may have recovered ; he may even now be 
in this army.” 

There was a long silence between them. 
The shadowy army of ill-disciplined troops 
marched steadily along the torch-lit road ; the 
grind of the artillery wheels could be heard 
from somewhere in the front ; a company of 
colored freedmen was chanting a crooning 
song as they stumbled along in the semi- 
darkness. At length Roger spoke. 

“I'm going to find if May hew is still at 
the hut.” 

“ How ? ” 

“ By going down there.” 

Before Stephen had a chance to reply, 
there came a scattering rifie fire from the 
front, then the sudden shock and blaze of a 
volley. 

The advance guards of both armies had 
met. 


CHAPTER XXIII 


THE EIGHTH OF JANUAEY 

During the entire time that Jackson^s army 
lay behind the Rodriguez canal, throwing up 
earthworks, Roger Dare and Stephen Randall 
fretted and fumed with impatience. Roger up 
to this time had been unable to keep his 
resolve to go out to the hut which lay between 
the lines of the two armies. 

I canT stand this much longer,^^ said the 
young sailor to his friend. “ Here we have 
been lying idle for two weeks. Mayhew is 
not in the force under Jackson, we have made 
sure of that, and if the British have not 
already captured him he may be at the hut.^’ 

The next afternoon, unable to wait longer, 
they went to the Commander, told him their 
story, and asked permission to advance beyond 
the lines after dark and make an attempt to 
reach the habitation of the old herb doctress. 
Jackson shook his head doubtfully. 

“ There is very little chance of such a 
291 


292 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


venture succeeding,” said he. ** But you may 
try it if you will. However, you take your 
lives in your hands ; the pickets of the enemy 
are well advanced and very alert.” 

But the two lads only desired the per- 
mission ; they were willing to risk the danger ; 
they considered the possible recovery of the 
cipher code worth the braving of a thousand 
such perils. 

It was the night of the seventh of January, 
and fast approaching midnight, when the two 
lads crept beyond the farthest American out- 
post and cautiously advanced along the plain. 
The twinkling of the British camp-fires could 
be seen straight ahead ; but they paid no 
attention . to these, all their minds being 
centred in avoiding any possible British out- 
post. 

The hut of the free woman was upon the 
edge of a swamp and with a small bayou 
behind it. They reached it without experi- 
encing any difficulty or sighting any of the 
British pickets. There was a dim light burn- 
ing in the living-room, and peering through 
a small window they saw the old colored 
woman crouched before an open fire ; a large 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 293 

iron pot was swinging above the blue cypress 
flame and the ancient crone stirred its con- 
tents with a huge spoon, her lips muttering 
some voodoo formula all the while. 

Seeing that she was alone, Roger tapped 
softly upon the window ; the old woman arose 
to her feet and called out without sign of fear, 
“ Come in ! 

The two lads went around to the door and 
entered. As they swung the door back into 
place the old herb woman said complain- 
ingly ; 

“ So yo^s gwine to start coming heah in de 
night, too, am yo’ ? Well, Ifll jest let yo’ know 
dat dar ain’t no mo’ sick young ’Mericans fo’ 
yo’ to cotch.” 

They halted as though they had been shot. 

“ He’s been taken, then ! ” cried Roger. 

The old woman gazed keenly at them 
through her large, horn rimmed glasses ; 
apparently the examination was not satisfac- 
tory ; she took a blazing brand from the fire 
and held it above her head so that its flare 
would fall full upon them. 

I declah ! ” she cried, almost instantly ; 

yo’ is not de British sogers, ’tall.” 


294 the boy tars OF 1812 

“ Don’t you recognize me, aunty ? ” asked 
Roger. 

“ ’Deed I does, sah ; yo’ is de young sailor 
gemman dat is po’ Mars’ Mayhew’s friend. But 
yo’s come too late fo’ to see him, sah, if dat’s 
what yo’ want, ’case he’s been took by de 
British, and now he’s over dar in de old yel- 
low mansion ’mong de trees near de river.” 

Then in answer to their questions the old 
woman told them her story. Mayhew, after a 
lingering illness, at last began to rally, thanks 
to his fine constitution and her care. But 
just when he had recovered sufficiently to 
begin to think about making his way to the 
American lines, a party of British surrounded 
the place and took him prisoner. 

“ Some of dem British officers done make 
dey headquarters at de old yellow mansion,” 
concluded the free woman. And dey is 
contrivin’ some kind ob goings on wif dat po’ 
young man, I know.” 

Roger had noticed the old house, of which 
the woman spoke, upon his former visit ; it 
had once been the home of a sugar planter, 
but the encroachments of the river had made 
it no longer desirable. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 295 

Thanking the old woman warmly they left 
the hut, and began making their way toward 
a point farther down and nearer the river. It 
was then about midnight ; they were sur- 
prised to note that the British camp-fires had 
disappeared almost entirely ; those few that 
still remained, gleamed fitfully ; dark masses 
seemed to be constantly passing before them. 
They could not understand this at first ; at 
length Roger sensed its meaning, and gripped 
Stephen hard. 

“ The enemy are preparing for an advance,’’ 
breathed he, in his friend’s ear. 

You are right,” returned Stephen, as he 
watched the flitting figures for a moment, his 
head lifted above the tall grass of the plain. 

And from their hurry they will attack be- 
fore daylight.” 

We must make haste,” said Roger. If 
they once get between us and Jackson’s lines 
we are lost.” 

As rapidly as secrecy would permit they 
crept through the grass and bush. At length 
they sighted the yellow house ; making their 
way through the thick clump of stunted trees 
that surrounded it, they saw a rosy gleam of 


296 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

light streaming from the lower windows out 
upon a long neglected garden. 

A murmur of voices and the sound of 
laughter came from the far end as though a 
number of men were gathered there ; from the 
constant stamp of hoofs they knew that some 
horses were tied in an open shed a few yards 
away. 

“ Softly now/^ said Roger, “ there may be 
some one there with the horses. 

In a few moments they were beneath the 
walls ; in still a few more they were crouching 
beneath a low, wide window. The night was 
a mild one even for that soft southern climate ; 
the window stood wide and the sound of 
a voice came out to them as they eagerly 
listened, flattening themselves against the wall. 

The voice was a strange one to them ; they 
could not understand what was being said ; 
finally they caught the sound of a closing 
door, then all was quiet, save for now and 
then a burst of laughter from the far end of 
the mansion. Encouraged by the continued 
silence, the two lads raised up and peered into 
the room. A young man was seated with 
bowed head and clasped hands by an empty 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 297 

fireplace ; a burning oil lamp stood upon a 
table near at hand. 

** Mayhew ! whispered Stephen. 

And alone/’ answered Roger, in the same 
hushed voice. Then : '' Hist ! ” 

The sibilant, sharp pitched sound reached 
the ears of the young man at the table ; he 
raised his startled eyes and gazed toward the 
window ; from the outer darkness the two in- 
tent young faces peered in at him. 

Quick,” breathed Stephen. This way, 
lieutenant.” 

Who is there ? ” asked the young man, 
still remaining in his chair. 

Stephen Randall.” 

Ah ! ” An exultant light leaped into the 
young officer’s eyes, but almost immediately 
died away. “ I am manacled, and chained 
to the grate.” * 

There was a moment’s deathly silence. 
Then Roger spoke. 

Are you entirely alone ? ” 

For the present — yes.” 

But there is danger of some one coming in 
on you ? ” 

At any moment.” 


298 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

There was another silence; then Stephen 
said : 

“ I’m coming in to you.” 

And I,” said Roger. 

With their pistols ready in their hands they 
softly clambered through the window and 
stood in the room. They approached him 
swiftly. 

“ Let me see the irons,” said Roger. 

The young soldier silently held up his hands. 
The manacles were heavy and securely locked ; 
a chain ran through them and then through 
the bars of the grate. 

There is not much chance of your getting 
free of that,” spoke Stephen. What do you 
say, Roger?” 

It all depends upon the strength of that 
grate,” answered the young sailor. From a 
small heap of cypress logs he took a billet 
about two feet in length and of something 
above the thickness of a fence rail. He bal- 
anced it in his hands and continued : The 
noise I make is going to alarm the house and 
we may be forced to run for it, Mr. Mayhew, 
before we can free you. So it would be well 
for you to tell us now what you have done 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


299 

with the cipher which you snatched from the 
hands of the Marquis of Glastonbury that night 
last winter/^ 

Lieutenant Mayhew's pale face lighted up 
and he smiled. 

“ So you know of that little matter/’ said he. 

In a few words Roger informed him as to 
who he was and how he came by the infor- 
mation. 

'‘You will be surprised to learn that the 
paper I snatched from the Marquis that night 
was not the cipher,” said he. 

“ Not the cipher ! ” 

“No. You see they flogged me until I was 
no longer able to bear it ; then I told them 
that the parchment was beneath the hall 
stone. I supposed that they would find noth- 
ing there ; all I desired was a respite from the 
frightful pain. When the stone was lifted and 
Glastonbury seized the paper which lay be- 
neath it, the shock was so great that I could 
not think clearly. The one idea in mind was 
that Colonel Randall had changed the hiding 
place of the document and that I had unwit- 
tingly betrayed my country. I could have 
wept with joy when some hours later I dis- 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


300 

covered that the parchment was only an old 
Dutch screed of some sort placed under the 
hall stone when the house was built. 

“And the cipher really is ” 

“ In the wall over the doorway, of the old 
stone tower upon the bay shore.’' 

As Mayhew uttered these words there came 
a dry, cynical laugh ; all three turned, and 
there in the doorway stood the elegant figure 
of the Marquis of Glastonbury. 

“ Lieutenant Mayhew,” cried he mockingly 
and with an elaborate gesture of thanks, “ your 
little explanation came in good time. Accept 
my gratitude. As for you two,” turning a 
sudden look of ferocity upon the youthful 
Americans, “your power to trouble me is 
about over. You have placed your heads 
within the lion’s jaws ; within ten minutes 
you’ll be swinging from one of the trees out- 
side there.” 

He took a backward step through the door- 
way and turned his head as though to call ; 
this movement was fatal to his chances ; with 
the bound of a panther Roger was upon him j 
the cypress billet whirled through the air and 
struck him a glancing blow upon the head 



J^E STRUCK MADLY 
^ AT THE HE A VV GRA TE 






# 


r " :l) 







h. 


ir' 1V 





' IK 


,1 





' ^ 


t 





•*«p. k ^ , 


r » 


f ♦ ^ 






1 - 






.TTC 



u 


t >^\ ^ •' 

2.A tts ^ 







- h 


uQ 


r’TI 





>& ^ 


- 4 . 1 ; 


t* 


■ 'f 


> * 




K. 


lS- 


• ? 





L\ 



«l 


••' ^•'T 








: 5 ^- 

r”v 



A' 











ki 


4 kl^ 


'-•r 




•w. 


, 


,.-l,-» 1-1 



E/ 


#■ 




'< ■»* 




f<<; 




% 


I* I / . i'l ■* 

‘V^'- ■^.. 


. 1 




X 




.k * 


b ''■^ I 









a 


^ : ». 


#0:’ ■ ' 

[ ■ ; «*> . >» V. 

1 ^ ^ ■ 






» •?<. r 

*i*. 



•u ^ 1 . m. 






* < 




THE BOY TARS OF 1812 301 

that stretched him bleeding upon the floor. 
But as he fell a cry of warning pealed from his 
lips ; immediately there came an overturning 
of chairs and the rush of hasty feet. 

Roger with the strength lent him by the 
situation struck madly at the heavy grate ; 
once, twice, thrice the solid log rose and fell ; 
then the iron casting broke and Mayhew was 
free of it. 

The window,^’ cried Roger. 

One after another they leaped out into the 
darkness ; the last of them was just vanishing 
from view when a half dozen British officers 
sprang over the prostrate form of Glastonbury 
and dashed into the room. A pistol in the 
hand of the foremost exploded, and the heavy 
ball whizzed past the heads of the fugitives. 

There they go ! cried he who had fired 
the shot. After them I 

To the shed,’^ cried Roger as he headed 
Mayhew toward that structure. “ We must 
have mounts ! ” 

A soldier, newly aroused from a deep sleep, 
judging from the way he fumbled at the lock 
of his piece, stood in their path when they 
reached the shed ; but a blow from Stephen’s 


302 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

pistol butt effectually disposed of him. There 
were a number of horses in the building ; with 
the edge of his cutlass Roger freed them, and 
then drove them forth. The British officers 
could be heard stumbling forward in the dark- 
ness shouting madly in their anger and panic. 

“ Now, lieutenant,^^ said Roger. With a 
heave he had hoisted the still manacled young 
officer into a saddle ; then both his and 
Stephen's weapons barked a sullen warning to 
their pursuers that they must not press them 
too close ; the echoes had not died away be- 
fore they were mounted and all three thun- 
dering away toward the American lines. 

It was dawn when the three adventurers 
were safely past the first picket of Jackson's 
army ; as they glanced back they saw a sput- 
tering rocket go flaring into the sky ; the Brit- 
ish were advancing against the American 
works. 

The morning was a misty one, and Roger 
heard the roll of the kettle drums and the 
fanfare of trumpets from somewhere off in the 
thickness. But it was not long before the sun 
began to stab its way, ray by ray, through the 
fog, and the compact column of the enemy 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 303 

could be seen moving steadily forward like 
some ponderous, gloomy monster bearing doom 
in its thousand hands. 

Mayhew was sent to the rear to have a 
smith file off the irons ; Stephen and Roger 
went at once to a battery upon a bastion near 
at hand, and Lieutenant Spotts, commander 
of the artillery, gave them charge of a gun. 

No shot had been fired upon either side as 
yet, but when his gun was charged, Roger 
sighted it and Stephen applied the match. As 
its thunder rolled across the plain the mist 
lifted like a vast curtain and the entire British 
force could be seen in motion toward them. It 
was a magnificent sight and the farmers and 
backwoodsmen behind the American works 
gazed at it in admiration and wonder. Such a 
scene of gorgeous military splendor had never 
before been witnessed upon an American bat- 
tle-field. 

The thousands of polished musket barrels 
flashed back the rays of the sun ; the bright 
scarlet coats with white shoulder belts ; the 
grays, the blues, and the waving tartans of 
the bare legged Highlanders gave the brilliant 
colors of romance to the attack. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


304 

The band of the Battalion d’Orleans behind 
the works was blaring and throbbing away at 
“ Yankee Doodle ’’ ; and as the rattling, stir- 
ring notes reached them the Tennessee and 
creole riflemen, and the Kentucky reserve 
burst into a storm of cheers. 

Jackson, upon a powerful gray charger, rode 
down the line. 

'' Hold your fire, men, until you see the 
whites of their eyes,” he shouted, his haggard 
face aglow with the light of battle. 

Again the riflemen cheered. As the general 
passed, a voice cried out : 

“ There is a man made by nature for victory. 
HeTl win or die fighting in the last ditch, Mr. 
Dare.” 

In surprise Roger turned ; there in command 
of a battery of long guns, manned by a crew 
of desperate looking bravos, stood Lafitte, 
smiling and bowing politely. 

Before Roger had time to make more than a 
bare reply the batteries began to speak. The 
column of General Gibbs reeled and swayed 
under the murderous fire. But resolutely the 
gallant Englishman pressed on : lanes were 
plowed in his compact mass of red coats ; but 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 305 

the gaps were filled up at the stern command 
“ close in” Forward, doggedly and grimly, 
they came ; then at last they were within range 
of the small arms. 

At the first sputtering volley of these latter, 
Lafitte cried to Roger, 

“ Let^s see how they’ll stand that. Those 
fellows have stormed walled cities before now ; 
but here they are facing men accustomed to 
the rifle from childhood — the finest shots in 
the world.” 

Like a sheet of continuous flame the rifle- 
men poured their fire into the oncoming 
enemy ; as fast as one line would discharge 
their pieces, they would fall back and another 
would advance to the edge of the works and 
do likewise. 

For a space the English faced this dreadful 
fire without flinching, but when within fifty 
yards of the works they broke and began to 
fall back. The plain was covered with their 
dead ; the rifles still spat their murderous con- 
tents at them ; the cannon roared in their 
faces ; from across the river the American bat- 
teries began to join in the slaughter. 

Generals Gibbs and Packenham rode 


3 o 6 the boy tars OF 1812 

among their dismayed followers, white with 
fury. 

‘‘ Halt ! ” shouted Packenham, his voice 
ringing above the roar of the guns. Are 
you Englishmen ? Face about, and their 
works are ours.” 

As he endeavored desperately to cheer the 
terror stricken column on, a bullet smashed 
the bone of his right arm ; another killed the 
horse under him. But he remounted and with 
his sword in his left hand he cheered on his 
men. 

Once more they advanced — re-formed, sup- 
ported by the Highlanders. 

All this time Roger^s gun had been speak- 
ing regularly, as had those in the other 
batteries along the full length of the line. 
The crashing volleys from the riflemen had 
continued, and the British were dying in 
crowds. 

General Packenham fell at the head of the 
oncoming column, as did General Gibbs a lit- 
tle later. This halted the column ; the High- 
landers continued to advance until their 
leader. Colonel Dale was killed ; then they 
also wavered and fled in terror, but not until 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 307 

more than five hundred of their number had 
been stretched upon the plain. 

At other points the splendid army of Britain 
had met with the same dreadful reverse. The 
glory of a short half hour before had de- 
parted ; where all had been pomp and glitter, 
where brave men had marched to the blare of 
bugles and under the gay banner of St. George, 
all was death and horror ; the remnants of the 
defeated and terror-stricken invaders fell 
back under General Lambert, and New Or- 
leans was saved. 


CHAPTER XXIV 


CONCLUSION 

When it was discovered that General 
Lambert would not renew the attack, Roger 
at once prepared the Spitfire for a hurried 
voyage. 

That blow upon the head did not finish 
the Marquis,’’ he told Stephen, and you may 
depend upon it he is even now upon his way 
north toward Good Ground.” 

In the darkness of the night the little craft 
slipped through Admiral Cochrane’s fleet and 
squared away toward the north. 

‘‘ I have often, during my long illness, 
thought of that cipher key,” said May hew to 
the two lads as they all stood upon the quarter- 
deck under the quiet southern stars and 
watched the waters slip by the sides and 
whirl away into the darkness. “ But I some- 
how fancied that Colonel Randall had turned 
it over to the war office. We talked of it 
more than once, and he told me that he 
intended to do so.” 


308 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 309 

Did you ever discuss it with him in 
the presence of your successor as secretary, 
Ra venae ? 

“Yes, once when I visited White Towers. 
I did not like the man and thought it unsafe 
to have him know the whereabouts of the 
document. I persuaded the colonel to change 
its hiding-place at once.’’ 

“ Ah ! ” exclaimed Stephen, with a glance 
at Roger ; “ that, then, is what he meant when 
he cried out that night : ‘ This is Mayhew’s 
work ! ’ ” 

Lieutenant Mayhew laughed. “ He sus- 
pected me of distrusting him, I know. It was 
less than a week after my visit that he lost 
his position ; and I understand he placed that 
to my credit, as well. 

“ When Colonel Randall agreed with me 
that it would be unsafe to leave the cipher in 
the secret niche in the library, he asked me 
what I considered the best place for it,” said 
Mayhew. “ I replied that the war office would 
be the safest in my opinion ; but, after that, 
there was the old stone tower upon the bay 
shore.” 

With fair winds behind her the Spitfire 


310 THE BOY TARS OF 1812 

drove on through the gulf and out into the 
open Atlantic ; day after day went by and 
still her bowsprit pointed north ; every stitch 
of canvas that she could carry was spread ; 
the three young men on board felt that it was 
a sort of race for Good Ground, for who knew 
what might be occurring there ! 

While the Spitfire plunged toward the 
north, another ship was sailing, as fast as the 
winds would drive her, westward, with the 
news that the war was over. Peace had been 
signed on December 24th, two weeks previous 
to the victory at New Orleans ! 

It was at the close of a wintry day in early 
February that the Spitfire's lookout caught 
sight of the Long Island shore ; complete 
darkness had settled over all when the 
brig dropped anchor and a boat was called 
away. 

“ The ice is thicker than it was during my 
last call here in the brig,'’ said Roger, as the 
boat slowly made its way toward the shore. 

When they at last stood upon the frozen 
bay road and were preparing to trudge 
through the snow-drifts toward the tower, 
Stephen suddenly started, and whispered : 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 311 

** Look there ! 

What is it ? asked Mayhew in the same 
low tone. 

A light — see, there by the old tower.’’ 

A glimmer of light was dancing over the 
snow, a red, spark-like effect that came and 
went at intervals. 

It’s some one carrying a masked lantern,” 
said Roger, after a moment, “ and he seems to 
be coming this way.” 

“ It may be the Marquis,” breathed 
Stephen. 

“ Or your friend the man with one arm,” 
put in Mayhew. He may be still on the 
ground.” 

Nearer and nearer came the light flashing, 
now and then, straight ahead, again being ap- 
parently directed to either side. 

Silence, men,” warned Roger to the boat’s 
crew. And get down out of sight until we 
have made sure who this is.” 

The men crouched behind a snow bank, 
where the flitting rays of the oncoming lan- 
tern could not reach them ; the others did 
likewise. Now the crunching of footsteps 
could be heard ; in the uncertain rays of the 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


312 

lantern two figures could be dimly discerned. 
At length the newcomers reached the road not 
more than ten yards from the crouching men 
of the Spitfire^ and paused. 

It^s a long walk in the cold,” said one of 
them, complainingly. 

“ Ravenac,” whispered Roger in Stephen’s ear. 

The walk is not the worst of it, my dear 
Ravenac,” said a second voice, beyond a doubt 
that of the Marquis of Glastonbury. There 
is a drive along the wind swept road for a 
good ten miles after we reach the carriage, and 
then to sea in an open boat to New London, 
where we will be safe among the blockading 
fleet.” 

Ravenac’s teeth chattered loudly. 

‘‘ It’s not a very pleasant prospect,” re- 
marked he. The two winters that I have 
spent here along this coast, and in these 
woods, have gotten into my blood, I think. I 
can never get warm.” 

The Marquis laughed in his smooth, soft 
way. 

Oh, well ! ” he exclaimed. “ It’s all over 
at last ; you’ll have no more night lurkings 
— no more hunts among the ruins of the old 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 313 

mansion. What a lucky thing it was that I 
overheard Mayhew^s words on the night of the 
battle.” 

Mayhew gripped Roger’s arm tightly. 
Something like a sob of gratitude rose in 
Stephen’s throat. There was a rustling of 
stiff parchment ; then the Marquis continued : 

Hold the lantern nearer, Ravenac ! ” The 
Frenchman did as he was told ; the dim rays 
faintly illuminated the smiling face of the 
Marquis as he bent over a large sheet of parch- 
ment and studied it closely. 

Ah,” chuckled he, it’s given us many an 
hour of anxiety — many a laborious search. 
But here it is at last. The Yankee system of 
defense is as good as solved.” He threw back 
his head and laughed. “ And to think,” said 
he, that our energetic friends are far away 
in the South not dreaming of this. Ah, they 
are courageous boys enough ; but they have 
lost, for all that.” 

From without the small circle of light cast 
by the lantern a hand suddenly reached for- 
ward and closed upon the parchment. 

“ Don’t be so sure of that,” said a quiet 
voice. In an instant the light rays were 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


3H 

flashed upon the speaker ; he stood tall, slim 
and upright by the roadside, and in his hand 
he now held a cocked pistol. 

“ Parker Mason,'’ shrilled Ravenac, in the 
thin high tone of fear. 

But the Marquis of Glastonbury spoke no 
words ; like lightning he leaped forward ; the 
secret service officer’s weapon exploded, but 
the bullet went wide, and in another instant 
he was upon his back in the snow with the 
white but powerful hands of the Marquis 
about his throat. 

“ My sword, Ravenac,” panted the noble- 
man. Give it to him between the ribs ! ” 

The frantic Frenchman tore the blade from 
its sheath ; he had drawn back his arm for 
the deadly thrust when Roger’s knee was 
planted in the small of his back and he was 
thrown aside among the alert boat’s crew who 
had leaped up at the first movement of their 
captain. 

In another instant the strong hands of 
Stephen and Mayhew had dragged the Mar- 
quis from the prostrate form of Mason. Then 
Roger lifted the parchment which had fallen 
upon the snow. 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


315 

^‘111 take care of this/^ he remarked, 
quietly. 

The Marquis flecked the clinging snow from 
his garments with a handkerchief, and said 
in his smoothest tone. 

It is a matter of constant surprise to me, 
Mr. Dare, how you happen upon me in this 
regular fashion. Really, I shall at last be 
forced to go out of my way to dispose of you, 
for good.^’ 

Mars’ Steve ! Mars’ Steve ! ” called a joyful 
voice ; and in another moment old Cato came 
upon the scene and grasped his young mas- 
ter’s hands in both his own. I’s pow’ful 
glad to see yo’ back home once mo’, sah, ’deed 
I is.” 

And I’m glad to be back, Cato,” replied 
Stephen, as he gave the old servant a hearty 
grip. 

Your chance discovery would have done 
you little good, Mr. Mason,” observed the 
Marquis, “ had it not been for these,” and he 
included all the others in a graceful wave of 
the hand. 

I am glad indeed that they happened 
along,” returned Mason. But mine was no 


3i6 the boy tars OF 1812 

chance discovery ; Cato and I were watching 
when you and your accomplice discovered the 
hiding place of the parchment in the wall 
of the old tower. We followed you in order 
to recover it at the first good opportunity.” 

Cato dragged forward a huge musket at this 
juncture. 

And only fo’ Mars’ Steve and dis odder 
gen’man gettin’ in de road, sah,” said he to the 
Marquis, yo’ would hab gone to glory. I 
was jest drawin’ a bead on you when dey all 
jumped from behind de snow bank.” 

The two prisoners were at once taken aboard 
the brig and ironed ; the cipher key was locked 
in the strong box of the cabin and Starbuck 
was placed at the door to guard against any 
possibility of an attempt to secure it. 

“What next?” said Stephen as they stood 
upon deck in the keen wintry wind. 

“ Mr. Taylor,” said Roger by way of reply, 
“ make sail.” 

“ Where away, sir? ” asked the first officer 
when the order had been obeyed and the brig 
was standing out of the little bay. 

“Washington,” answered Roger, briefly. 

“ Good,” said the secret service agent, ap- 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 


317 

provingly ; '' the parchment should be placed 
in safe hands without delay/’ 

^*We-all will be glad to get rid ob it,” 
stated Cato who was hovering about Stephen 
delightedly. It’s caused a pow’ful lot ob 
trouble, and dat’s a fac’.” 

The breeze was a good one and the brig 
made a rapid passage to the Chesapeake and 
thence up the Potomac. An hour after they 
had dropped anchor Roger, Stephen and 
Mayhew stood in the presence of President 
Madison. 

I am delighted to have possession of this,” 
said the chief magistrate tapping the table 
with the folded parchment, which Roger had 
handed him a few moments before. While 
its whereabouts was unknown it was a constant 
perplexity to us — a soijfce of weakness — for 
we dreaded to attempt to carry out any of 
Colonel Randall’s plans, not knowing but that 
the British knew as much about them as we 
did ourselves. However,” with a gesture of 
great satisfaction, there will be no use for 
any sort of defense, now, or, I sincerely hope, . 
for many years to come.” 

Both lads looked at him in astonishment ; 


3i8 the boy tars OF 1812 

and he laughed as he arose to his feet, and 
said : 

“ Oh, I had forgotten ; the news is not yet 
given to the public. It has just reached the 
State Department that peace has been signed 
with England — and a peace, I hope, which 
will last forever.’^ 

As the two boys left the President’s pres- 
ence they found the passages filled with 
excited people ; throngs were gathering upon 
street corners, for the good news of the war’s 
end had been just whispered abroad, and all 
were anxious to learn the truth. 

The two lads parted with Mayhew and 
Mason with sincere expressions of good will ; 
and on the way north Roger set Stephen and 
Cato ashore at Good Ground. 

“ My first work,” said the young master of 
White Towers, “ will be to restore the old 
place to its former dignity. And on your 
next trip in the brig down the coast, I hope 
you’ll find the work well under way.” 

The man in the bow of the long boat pushed 
off at Roger’s command. 

“ Give way,” ordered the young captain as 
her nose swung around ; and as the sweeps 


THE BOY TARS OF 1812 319 

caught the water, he turned and glanced back 
at his friend. 

Do away with the secret places, Steve,” 
called he, with a smile. 

“ Trust me for that,” laughed Stephen 
Randall. 

And he and Cato stood upon the bay shore 
until the boat reached the Spitfire and was 
hoisted in ; then the saucy little craft swept 
about and headed seaward, bound for her 
home in Casco Bay. 


THE END 



* 

H 



'i 







I 


4 



/* 


9 


;. 


< 


) 


^ 



( 




/' t 



•i 




i 


I 



I >. 


y t 


• t 


r •, 


' . ~'r ' J 

.1' *{•*■' * 



' y ^ ^ ^ ^ 



/ 













il^^ ' Ilfi'iifV ™VS'“''' '■■ 'i ■ v'.'%;'-. ‘'i' 


V 


<* 


t ‘ I ' 




•■' t v'V 


ir»»s 


•J ^ 


;.t, Ai 


M \ 


r! 


> nr 


■»'' 


■ V Wf % ,'i *iM ^ tfV v« 1 ' 'lTI 


V V"* 




.1 


r'J 




t * 

■H 





>■ r 

> 




^ ‘ ^ 


■r/».; 


I I 


< 


V 


s 


•-f‘\ 




i t 




> - 1 ' .. -jm 

tf** 

if/;., ■' '"■'■•■ 




/ ' i . f" 

/ ; 

>^- 







I 


< 


k ■^rj:^'i P ■ , li j ’;■' "/ ' 

-?r 

P M > * 4 ( 

IKw' .'. ilMiE 


' ;t! 


i « 


»i 


^ V ‘^.1 


r 

S '- ■♦ '^’ f'*' 

-.-V, 




a; 




■.imSff 4W^ •■- ' :':- 'i^ " Y" /'i|&Y-',v. ;i{<- 

liipfYiYvii # 




^ .1 






•3 4f ■ 


W rv‘ 5 tV;' i J '. ■• ■?• . i 't' 



^;vr ■flav’. f' . .; ^ ‘ fj/r if^// t'Traviiiiii »;i i 

' Pmv' • 


' .'vV l-li'- ' = 

.Mr X 


{ * 


■' .A * 


,' . ' ' Y 




V I 



Y3*l,,;., 

- ■ ■ ■ as ' 



i' /* 

^ t . ' 


#li 


•»' ' Vi' ti* ^ , 

h ,., ’ I f •*,' '1 ' . ’) I ' / ^ • 

■ " ‘"M 'U. :' , . 


1 1 




’i ril^i '' ^i /, -‘' 


, V' ■ >'-• 



:.,Y , , n.'/\ril. 

' •'■ ‘ •■‘r- ■•. 

< . 1 * .% • “h . : A* i 1 ' 


* I 


.JKi 



% 





T 













